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CD Feature/ Pete Alderton: "Living on Love"

  Tobias

I’ve got to admit, I hadn’t heard of Pete Alderton to the day I held the CD ‘Living On Love’ in my hands. It would have been easy to search for information, I could have listened to the recorded interview attached to the press kit, but I elected to listen first. To listen, undisturbed from any information, which might influence me. The only thing I knew was that these songs were based on the Blues. That alone enhanced my curiosity because I grew up on the Blues. And, as many of you may know, once you love, understand, play, and feel the Blues it remains a constant in your live, it’s just there, even when you don’t listen to it for many years. Which, of course, you won’t do.

Anyway, I was in for a surprise. Expecting rough and to-the-core rhythms, garnished with screaming, virtously performed guitar solos and elaborate piano/organ excursions along with powerful, energetic voices, steaming drums and steady rocking, powerful baselines – all of which I really love – Pete Alderton and his crew came to me from a very different angle.
‘Living on Love’ transports the Blues into another age, from its roots planted long ago right into our present days. Consequently, what we call the Blues has to be partly regarded in another way after this CD. This is no longer just a musical structure, which the instruments can use in order to go on excursions bound into these very limitations. Pete Alderton focuses much more on the words, the ever actual themes of  the Blues, like lost loves, loneliness, sadness and the boobytraps of feelings human life is constantly subjected to. This consequently comes in a different musical dress. Most of the songs are balladesque and adhere to Pete’s remarkable voice – dark, deep, at times rough, at times even sentimental, but always in perfect context to the theme of the song. This voice is never stressed, it’s never going to the physical limits of its ability. There is quietness in it, coming from a man who is true to the word he sings. This creates an almost overwhelming honesty, an honesty felt by the listener as real truth and authenticity, and that is exactly what it is. As an almost perfect background the accompanying music plays on that same tune. No need to scream, no need to force issues, no need of lamenting and exposing technical stunts - although I love those, too.
The music here observes the strict rule of underlining the words and the voice, in a quiet and unselvish way, yet shining in its depth and perfect artistry. Passion is celebrated in a way that goes back to the very essentials and the roots of honesty, at the same time creating an atmosphere of peaceful acknowledgment of the words sung. Yes, here you can understand and clearly listen, at the same time being subjected to your own experiences and your feelings deep down inside, all of those getting hit straight on. Bullseye.
 
I have to tip my hat to Pete Alderton, not only for his remarkable voice and his masterful lyrics, but also for his dedication to music. Also, I have to mention Carsten Mentzel, who co-wrote many songs, as well as Dagobert Böhm, Siggi Zufacher and Michel Roggenland for their great contributions. I know, I didn’t mention a song in particular. That was my very intent, cause there is no need to. All I wanted to achieve was to make you curious enough to listen to this CD. It’s definitely worth it. 

By Fred Wheeler

Note: The CD ‘Living on Love’ will be in shops from September 22nd 2006  but you can already order it over at the Ozella Music homepage.

Homepage: Pete Alderton
Homepage: Ozella Music