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Roy Hollingworth featuring Martin TurnerIn The Flesh
TRACK LISTING “In The Flesh”, the debut album by the late songwriter Roy Hollingworth (a former Melody Maker journalist whose early enthusiasm for Wishbone Ash can be seen in the many of his reviews which are reproduced in this site's archive section) was essentially a collaborative effort between Hollingworth, guitarist Robin Berlin and Wishbone Ash’s Martin Turner. Recorded in 1994, the album features ten original Roy Hollingworth compositions and was produced by Martin Turner. “I originally worked with Roy around the time that I left Wishbone in 1980,” says Martin. “We did a lot of things together over a period of years, then in the nineties Roy and I got together again and got a young Dutch guitarist Robin Berlin involved. Mr. Hollingworth is not everyone’s cup of tea, but I love him. His lyrics are intense.” Indeed lyrics are Roy Hollingworth’s real forte and the main focus of the album. His offbeat lyrics are sung in an almost Lou Reed-esque style, which is something of an acquired taste, and takes the music beyond the mainstream rock arena. . The musical content of this album, whilst obviously being somewhat different to Wishbone Ash’s style, should not alienate rock fans at all. Martin Turner’s role is major. Aside from producing and engineering the album, he also provides bass, guitar, keyboards and drum programming. As such there are musical elements here that would not have sounded out of place on “Nouveau Calls” or “Walking The Reeperbahn”, for example, although obviously here the context is different. In addition Martin’s distinctive backing vocals can be heard throughout the album. Robin Berlin - familiar to Martin Turner fans through his contribution to “Walking The Reeperbahn” - also provides some stunning guitar work.  Martin, Robin & Roy Hollingworth’s style may take the average music listener a while to adjust to, but his music certainly rewards with repeated plays. A highly successful collaboration and an essential addition to the collection of any Wishbone Ash fans with a particular fondness for Martin Turner’s musical and production skills. “In The Flesh” was originally released through Bellaphon Records in Germany. The album was later remixed and repackaged in the UK through DJC. |
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