Butler, Blake & Grant in session tonight – recorded on March 26 by BBC Scotland and broadcast on The Quay Sessions with Roddy Hart.
A self-titled debut album from musicians and songwriters Bernard Butler, Norman Blake and James Grant was be released in March.
The three artists first played together at the 2022 Celtic Connections festival, before discussing a potential album. Butler is best known for his work in Suede but has since been a prolific producer and collaborator. Norman Blake is the songwriter and lead vocalist for Teenage Fanclub, while James Grant was a founding member of Scottish band Love and Money. This new album brings them together for a sound full of vocal harmonies and guitar interplay, as you might expect.
To be clear, this isn’t an album full of co-written songs. There’s 10 tracks on the album and each track is composed by one member of the ‘group’ and sung by the person indicated on the track listing below. The two exceptions are ‘Bring An End’ which is by Norman Blake & James Grant and the instrumental ‘Rosus Posus’ which is written by all three men.
Norman Blake is a driving force in Teenage Fanclub, Bernard Butler is renowned for his production and songwriting with a myriad of artists, most recently for his Mercury nominated album For All our Days That Tear The Heart with Jessie Buckley and his own critically acclaimed album Good Grief, and James Grant is best known as the writer, guitarist and singer of Love And Money.
From the outset when the three started playing together, it all just seemed to work. They found a space within what they were doing that felt novel and very quickly established a musical rapport. It wasn’t too long before the possibility of making an album was being discussed.
Following a handful of hugely well-received shows which saw the trio perform a selection of each other’s songs , the collective reconvened to write new material. The resultant record is an errant joy; each of the guys taking vocal turns with simpatico input from their co – players. Butler, Blake and Grant oozes with natural camaraderie and beautifully crafted tunes, filled with melody, harmony and impeccable guitar chops.
And here’s the session to compliment the vibe – enjoy – and grab a copy of their debut.
