aaamusic | On 24, Feb 2014

Scottish Highlands based singer songwriter Martin Stephenson fronts The Daintees and combines rock, folk, roots, gospel and rockabilly. He sounds a little like John Martyn, Van Morrison and Gill Scott Heron.

His album California Star released on 17^th February, 2014 on Barbaraville Records, is his sixth studio release with this band, over twenty years since his debut Boat To Bolivia.

Soulful ‘The Ship’ is calm and relaxed with good harmonies. With a spaghetti western feel ‘The Streets Of San Sebastian’ has fine acoustic guitar work and flamenco rhythms. Title track ‘California Star’ is a relaxing country swing tune with slide guitar, whilst  ‘Ready To Move On’ becomes lively harmonica fuelled northern blues rock. ‘Something Special’ is lighter,  ‘Silverbird’ gentler and ‘I’m in Love For The Very First Time’ changes the tone once again, this time to a slow reggae beat.

Martin’s poetic and intelligent lyrics, together with fresh, catchy songs, have resulted in a loyal and committed group of supporters. He’s a critically acclaimed artist who’s possibly not very well known commercially, but he creates credible and accessible songs which are diverse in style.

★★★★★

Anthony Weightman