394) Kevin McDermott Orchestra - Mother Nature's Kitchen

I have talked about Echo in Byres Road and having been persuaded by the brothers to part with my money I usually crossed the road and went upstairs in Cresswell Lane to Lost In Music that was a treasure trove of posters, CD’s, records, and cassettes.

There was a song playing behind the counter and I asked the guy what it was. Kevin McDermott Orchestra Wheels of Wonder I was informed. The man didn’t know me from Adam but somehow, I have a face that can clearly demonstrate that I am lost and he helped me out by informing me Kevin was from our city and passing me the CD, Mother Nature’s Kitchen, telling me it would be an excellent purchase. I nodded looked at the front and back and bought it. If I lived in the desert, I would buy sand off people.

However, he was right to be fair to the man it really was an excellent purchase. McDermott had been an apprentice draftsman at Yarrow shipyards on the Clyde and had been working on the songs for a few years. Recording a single in a band called The Suede Crocodiles and releasing a solo album Suffocation Blues before putting together the Kevin McDermott Orchestra and recording this debut record for the group. His brother joined on drums and ex Commotion Blair Cowan and future Paul McCartney guitarist Robbie McIntosh were also on hand with Stephen Greer on bass.

Over twelve songs, all written by McDermott, the band are tight and you can here the enjoyment they had in the studio recording this record. The guitars are to the forefront on the opener Wheels of Wonder before Kevin comes in as the rhythm section back him before McIntosh adds subtlety and craft, and bottleneck on this and several other songs, especially the title track. It’s a song that gathers momentum and is a perfect introduction to the band.

Slow Boat really kicks in at the two-minute mark and Diamond all the band hit their mark from the off as the song does not let up from start to finish. Into the Blue is most subdued moment the band minimal with Kevin’s vocals to the forefront, a nice contrast.

This is a solid record, doesn’t contain that stand out track that could have given them a hit but it’s a band comfortable with each other, the songs and what each can bring to the record, Statue to a Stone is excellent and Kevin brings back Suffocation Blues, strong vocal and acoustic guitar. We end with the storming Healing at the Harbour as the band take us out, this is fast paced with another excellent solo from McIntosh .

Like other Scottish bands of the era Goodbye Mr MacKenzie, Love and Money and Blue Nile this has become known as a classic Scottish album and I am no salesman, but I’d strongly advise you to listen.

7/10

GIVE IT A STREAM: Diamond