If You Saw Thro' My Eyes

Sound DNA

• Rock

About

After his late-‘60s stint with the now-legendary Fairport Convention, singer Ian Matthews largely turned his back on traditional folk tunes. Still, he always carried himself with the air of a medieval English troubadour, even when working within a country-rock vein. His 1971 album <i>If You Saw Thro’ My Eyes</i> finds common ground between British and American musical motifs, favoring gently-spun melodies and introspective lyrics. Matthews applies his high, sweet tenor to mostly self-written material, including the Western-themed “Desert Inn,” the self-critical “Never Ending,” and the moodily reflective “Little Known.” Matthews picks up the pace on a pair of intelligently edgy tunes by Richard Farina, “Reno, Nevada” and “Morgan The Pirate.” Old Fairport bandmates Richard Thompson and Sandy Denny add sparkle to the tracks, as does ace British guitarist Tim Reswick. The album’s best moment is the confession-like title tune, featuring Denny on piano and vocals. <i>If You Saw Thro’ My Eyes</i> is best enjoyed on a quiet rainy day, when its finely-wrought melancholy has time to weave its spell.

via Apple Music

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