A contemporary folk/blues performer, Rob Quo is a prolific London-based singer/songwriter. Emotive and humorous in equal measure, his songs touch on the human experience with lyrical grace and a melodic simplicity which is uniquely his own. Raised in rural Warwickshire, Quo moved to London as soon as he left school. Over many years working low-paid jobs and engaging with the city's nightlife/arts scene, he has maintained a steady stream of creativity which peaked during 2020. This was a year which yielded a plethora of new material from which emerged a distinct voice with a newfound focus at its core. The subsequent year has found him working closely with producer Gus White to document this prolific period of writing, which culminated with his third and final 2021 release Now I See the Birds, (reviewed here). As a live performer, Quo’s reputation has him treading the boards at the city's most reputable grassroots venues. Next year promises to find him touring the country, reaching a new audience outside of the capital and throughout the UK. This five-song collection was recorded and mixed at The Barn, Wiltshire, England and mastered in London.
This third EP in a series comes from a batch of songs written over the period of about a year, which finds the artist returning to a more stripped back/acoustic sound. The songs are described as “pensive, searching and reflective.” Other artists helped round out the beautiful sounds you’ll hear – Sam Crooks (double bass/vocals), Gus White (drums/percussion, vocals), Ed Cross (trombone/clarinet/piano/harmonium), Daniel Springate (cello), Freya Hicks (viola), Tom Crofton-Green (violin) and Abigail James (violin). The opening track, which is also the EP’s title track, states the classic Will Wonka line “living in a world of pure imagination.” It offers a positive, ‘turning-the-corner’ message of “seeing the birds” in our lives. It’s about how the veil of ignorance and self-involvement can leave us feeling empty and alone – as if we’re missing something bigger than ourselves. Indeed, this song offers sound advice – to not let another moment in life go wasted. Beautiful string sounds can already be heard on the first song in. On “Chasing the Moon” Quo offers a metaphor or sorts and an internal struggle within himself – following a dream (aka the ‘moon’), but he finds the moon’s “always moving.” Hard to keep your eyes on the prize, when your head’s “dreaming” in the clouds, in other words. Musically, this tune offers a nice mellow mix of clarinet, brushing waltz rhythms and warm, upright bass tones, along with inviting backing vocals. Moving on is “Upon My Plate.” A nice chemistry between the musicians happens on this number. The piano, the more robust playing of Gus White on the drums, the guitars and the vocal harmonies are all enjoyable to listen to, in my opinion. The lyrics to “I’m No Good” suggests a lover holding out an olive branch to the other, so they can stay with the one they love – “It’s a yes, so long as you let me stay.” This is a gentle, tender tune about pining for the one you love, but realizing that maybe you’re no good for that person you’ve fallen head over heels for. Instrument wise, the string arrangement is very well done, and you’ll hear some fantastic cello playing on this tune as well. Last up is “Home is Wherever the Heart is” and it’s a song about realization; a coming to terms with “the man that I must be now / with the wisdom of just a few years.” But at the same time as a younger man, you knew this “home where your heart is” will somehow come back around to greet you again after the years pass by. Overall, this last tune offers an honest, and deeply heartfelt look at one’s life. The title and lyrics are both timeless and tender, the musical arrangement even more so. The melancholic spirit of Rob Quo’s music on Now I See the Birds, with its slow moving, mellow folksy rhythms, remind me a little of Nick Drake, but the singer doesn’t sound anything like Drake – I don’t think anyone can. Harry Chapin, Sting (his Soul Cages album), Cat Stevens and Gordon Lightfoot also come to mind – and for any talented singer/songwriter, I’d say that’s pretty good company to be in.
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