Devil's Gate Music
Related Articles
English singer-songwriter-guitarist Troy Redfern is not hanging about on his new album ‘The Wings of Salvation’. No settling-in period, no breaking the listener in gently. Ten tracks that fly past in the blink of an eye, and with zero fat included there is hardly time for the listener to draw breath let alone get bored. This is Troy Redfern – a man on a mission.
Opening in sizzling style with the wildly boisterous ‘Gasoline’ (one of those moments where the volume dial finds itself creeping skywards), Redfern’s second studio album in thirteen months is a joy to behold. Packed with lashings and lashings of the slide-guitar fireworks that you have come to expect from this talented six-stringer, ‘The Wings of Salvation’ is quite remarkable in the sense that it manages to provide constant surprises throughout the thirty-five minutes running time.
Expecting a by-the-numbers blues rock album, the variety featured within is one of the most pleasurable aspects of the album; enjoy a bit of foot-stomping glam? – then strap-on ‘Sweet Carolina’ for size and raise that glass skyward as Redfern releases his inner Marc Bolan (some cowbell in there somewhere); keep the feet stomping on ‘Come On’ which packs an almighty rhythmic punch courtesy of Paul Stewart on the drums, and features yet another sizzling slide solo from Redfern; ‘Navajo’ – complete with some cool banjo picking from producer/engineer/multi-instrumentalist Dave Marks – is destined to be a show-stopper when played live; ‘Can’t Let Go’ slows the tempo but not the intensity, and features a guitar solo from Redfern that is laden with gorgeous guitar tones; listen closely to ‘Dark Religion’ and you will pick up a swaying sea shanty-vibe, and if Troy drops his vocals down a register to and changes a few arrangements, then Tom Waits or Nick Cave would be arm wrestling each other to see who covers it; ‘Profane’ is souped-up Pyschobilly played at breakneck speed with an absolute sublime drum sound from Paul Stewart; and closing with the raw and angst-ridden ‘Heart & Soul’, the only thing left to do is hit the repeat button until it is worn out.
‘The Wings of Salvation’ perfectly highlights the growth in Troy Redfern’s abilities, and not just his guitar playing which remains as tasty as ever, but the growth in the songwriting department and the ability to craft together some beautiful songs – some of the arrangements and extended solos are the best that the cowboy hat-wearing guitar slinger has cooked up. Special mention to his vocals which are often overlooked in favour of his incendiary guitar playing skills, and of all the areas of growth noticeable on the album, this is the one that sticks out the most.
Available now from Troy himself here, or pick it up at one of the forthcoming shows with Dare, dates listed below:
Leeds, Brudenell Social Club – Thursday 6th October 2022
Newcastle, The Cluny – Friday 7th October 2022
Glasgow, The Garage – Saturday 8th October 2022
Bury St Edmunds, The Apex – Thursday 13th October 2022
Rescue Rooms, Nottingham – Friday 14th October 2022
Bilston, The Robin – Saturday 15th October 2022
Shoreham Ropetackle, Brighton – Friday 21st October 2022
Southampton, 1865 – Saturday 22nd October 2022
Bristol, Fleece – Sunday 23rd October 2022
London, O2 Academy Islington – Thursday 27th October 2022
Manchester, Academy -Friday 28th October 2022
Newbury, Arlington Arts Centre – Saturday 29th October 2022
Tickets available here
Review – Dave
Photo credit – Adam Kennedy
