Put "Great British Songs" on the cover and “Squeeze Box” on the track list and the snooty, UB40 detractors will say “well, there you go,” but the group's former lead singer approaches the Who's most polarizing number in a suitably lighthearted manner, turning in a charming performance on this collection of his childhood faves. “You Wear It Well” and “Carrie Anne” come off even better, both being absolutely breezy and smooth as can be, and if you want Campbell the soul-influenced crooner who can tug at the heartstrings, check his passionate take on “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” (and then marvel at the possible subtext since Ali’s vacancy in UB40 was filled by his own brother, Duncan Campbell). Problem is, the singer is often too relaxed, and with production that’s heavily synthetic, selections that should come with some grit fall flat. The nihilist anthem “Paint It Black” suffers the worst; “Honky Tonk Woman” should be a lot more “gin soaked,” and Roxy Music's cruising-for-sex classic “Love Is the Drug” sounds more like an uneventful date night. Longtime fans will appreciate that Campbell’s voice is as strong as ever, but it deserves a better showcase than this mixed bag.
© David Jeffries /TiVo
*Affichez les mêmes albums mais avec des versions ou des codes-barres différents.