The absence of live performances this last two years has dealt a hammer blow to many artists - but in the artistic world those creative juices don’t stop flowing to order.
Kiki Dee and Carmelo Luggeri utilised their downtime in the best way possible. The new album, The Long Ride Home - out in April 22 - is the result. But if you catch them in MK next week, you can grab an early copy.
Kiki Dee is a wonderful lyricist; her often mesmerising words engage the listener, to beckon you deeper into her world. The unintentionally prescient lyrics of What You Wish For strike a salutary chord for these locked-down times and the unbridled optimism of Small Mercies typifies the duo’s ‘glass half full’ approach to their music.
Carmelo’s productions, many featuring country blues guitar and strings, lend an additional poignancy to the music. His delicate arrangement of The Ballerina Inside a case in point where Kiki’s voice, rich & glorious is beautifully captured.
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“This album has many influences, experimenting with dobro and pedal steel guitars seemed to augment our sound in a unique way," says Carmelo.
Out and out love songs are a rarity in the Kiki and Carmelo writing canon, but the wistful ‘I’d Be Undone’ bucks that trend beautifully.
Kiki said: “I’ve enjoyed every moment in the studio recording these songs and I look forward to them being out in the world.”
Diversity abounds on this album where you’ll find gospel singers on No Angels Tonight - a plaintive cri de cœur for all of us who’ve tossed and turned in the wee small hours hoping for divine consolation and there are many subtle Indian & Latin influences too - a discreet nod to their ‘East Meets West’ era.
Carmelo’s sublime playing skills are highlighted to good effect throughout the album, his trusty Stratocaster even making a cameo appearance on the rousing climax of the title track The Long Ride Home.’
The Long Road Home Tour will be visiting venues across the UK throughout 2022 and comes to Milton Keynes next week - they'll be live at The Stables on Thursday, April 7.
To book your seat click here
