Too Many Millionaires (LP)

Darren Watson's sixth album is far and away his best yet!

Sure you'll hear echoes of artists like Elmore James, Muddy Waters, and Robert Johnson but you'll also hear a rapidly maturing songwriter at the peak of his game. Influences like John Hiatt, Lyle Lovett, and of course Wellington genius songwriter Bill Lake come through strongly as well.

But, more than any previous Darren Watson recording, Too Many Millionaires shows that the veteran of three decades' worth of hard graft - writing, recording and performing the blues in New Zealand - has truly found his own voice. And found a way to make it work inside a finished recording unlike anything he's done to date.

Recorded live in the studio by award-winning engineer Lee Prebble, Watson surrounded himself with a talented and sympathetic band. The resulting tracks are pure, intimate magic.

Steve Moodie's double bass is always there, solid and propulsive as hell, but never in the way. Dayle Jellyman's piano also traces beautifully around the tunes, never distracting, always adding. And Delia Shanly's percussion is both glue and icing. Check out her doggedly playing straight across the shuffle of National Guy, holding it together when the band starts messing with the groove. Brilliant.

Terry Casey on harmonica is a revelation too. Folks like Midge Marsden have been singing Casey's praises to anyone who'll listen for decades. But short of one track on a Chicago Smoke Shop album in 1989 no one has been able to hear the man New Zealand's most famous harmonica player is in awe of. Now we finally get to hear. And what sublime tone, timing, and taste! Plenty of imagination and flights of original fancy too. But mostly just amazing and beautiful TONE!

Too Many Millionaires was made to be enjoyed in one sitting. Take the time, put your feet up and you'll be rewarded with the best thirty five minute journey you'll have this year!