Maverick Magazine Review (03.02.04)

Brian Houston already an established musician in his native Ireland, Brian Houston is flirting with success in the UK. From the east side of Belfast it is a little unusual for a musician growing up in the 70s to quote gospel, Hank Williams, Kris Kristofferson and John Prine as influences. But that's part of Houston's charm, there is an enigma where there shouldn't be one. A David Essex lookalike for the 21st century., tousled hair, full of Irish charm and stack full of self-belief the suspicion is that Brian Houston could be a bit too much for the cool cynicism of English audiences. But a listen to his two latest albums Mea Culpa (2001) and this year's The Valley reveal just why Bob Harris said of Mea Culpa ' It was only thirty seconds in when I realized what a really, really special piece of music this is'. Behind the twinkle in the eye lies a real soul. In Ireland, Houston has tasted chart success with Treat A Woman, Too Busy and Orangeville which led to support slots with Elvis Costello, Van Morrison and Dr John amongst others. In 2002 he supported alt rockers Stewboss on their UK tour and there began the 'hard yards' of introducing a true singer-songwriter to UK audiences. But Houston is an uncomfortable support artist. His all-action stage presence and songs that are expressions of deeply felt experiences is an explosive combination. Too much to be confined to an hors d'oeuvre. But back comes the enigma. I have seen Houston play the muted, thoughtful folk musician and I have seen him revelling in the role of a brash rock star sometimes on the same night. But whichever |Brian Houston pitches up, one thing remains constant and that is the beauty of the music. Songs like I'll Fly Away hark back to the days of James Taylor in his absolute prime but coloured by a philosophy that says, never take yourself too seriously, for too long.

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