RICHARD ASHCROFT – SINGLE REVIEW

Richard Ashcroft – Surprised by the Joy
Richard Ashcroft - Surprised by the Joy

Release Date: Out Now

He’s a bit of a Marmite character is our Dickie. Some thing Richard Ashcroft is a proper legend, great song writer and genuine legend. Others are not convinced he’s done much more than release one good album with the Verve. This new single is unlikely to change the minds of either party by ‘Surprised by the Joy’ finds Ashcroft rolling out his trademark vocal atop some Weller-esque melodies replete with strings and a pleasingly twangy guitar. Weirdly, it looks as though Ashcroft is prepping himself for the role of Howard Marks in a new version of Mr Nice but as he beams around the English countryside in a vintage sportscar you can’t help but notice that he’s having fun. This is the sound of a guy who’s survived the rock’n’roll machine, made it out of the other side and still enjoys picking up a guitar to strum out a tune. Love him or loathe him, you can’t begrudge a man enjoying the art of music making. The dropping-to-the-knees-on-the-beach scene in the video is a bit much though – you’re nearly 50 Richard, you’re not Enrique Iglesias.


Live Dates:
28th October – Town Hall, Middlesborough
29th October – Rock City, Nottingham
31st October – Albert Hall, Manchester

Watch the Video: