Scottish music reviewers Bluesbunny just gave the new album 'Slow Burner' a 4/5 review! Here's what they had to say:
The search for authenticity is an onerous task but it seems to be one that Edinburgh singer songwriter Al Shields has chosen to take on with his debut album "Slow Burner" and, whilst he has chosen to plough the deep furrows of the Americana genre like so many others, he has managed to entertain where so many have failed to inspire.
You'd be hard pressed to guess his origin from his accent. It is certainly more of mid America than Midlothian. Then again, the songs wouldn't travel the road of life as well with a Scottish brogue driving them along. The near Nashville sounds of "Home" and the reverential to The Band "Travelling Man" illustrate his influences well and provide evidence that Al Shields is capable of more than just jumping on the roots bandwagon.
Although the Americana genre is not renowned for supplying laughs, there is chuckle or two be had in the wry "Warning". It's about the wrong kind of woman but, then again, all the best songs are.
Whilst mostly downbeat in tone, "Slow Burner" is nonetheless a good natured album that is both easy on the ear and worthy of closer attention.
