SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: FERGUS HAMBLETON – ALL THE RIGHT NOISES

Fergus Hambleton
All The Right Noises
Axe Records

In the 1960s, Fergus Hambleton was a member of a folk/rock band in Toronto, A Passing Fancy, that had several hits, especially in Toronto on the CHUM charts. But by 1969, the band called it a day, and Hambleton stood out in the band, due to his musical and vocal talents. This led him to signing a solo deal with Capitol Records. In 1971 they released his debut album All The Right Noises. The album has become somewhat of a classic and has been out of print for years. There is a population who remember hearing the album on CHUM-FM and the sole single from the album, “Same Old Feeling” coupled with “Laura”. But over time the album fell out of print and has become a sought after album. After 50 years plus, the album finally makes a reappearance, even though it is digital only.

All The Right Noises was produced by Hambleton’s brother, Greg Hambleton, who had made a name for himself engineering Stompin’ Tom Connors and writing a hit single for the band Rain. But here, he helps his brother define his folk/rock sound and succeeds. It is a terrific album that has aged remarkably well. This is singer/songwriter at its finest. Think James Taylor meets Jim Croce and yet Hambleton puts his own spin on the music. Musically, all of the songs are instantly accessible. Greg Hambleton has done a fine job recording the sessions and the sporadic use of strings (especially in the song “Movin’ Around”) creates an incredible atmosphere.

But then, Hambleton has written some very solid songs. He moves from mellow to more rock (such as “Same Old Feeling”) with great ease. This skill and talent will serve Hambleton well going forward from this stage in his career. In fact, like a good Harry Nilsson album, Hambleton changes things up during the album. Give “Fine Day” a listen, and while it fits on the album, the piano-based song is different from the other songs. Remember, this is 1971 and artists thought about side one and side two and sequenced songs in this fashion. As such, “Fine Day” ended side one in style, and one flips the album over and the bluesy rocker “Alright By Myself” (perhaps a song about A Passing Fancy splitting) and this song sets the tone for the rest of the album.

The album ends with the epic “Life By The Water”. Here Hambleton creates a melancholy mood with some great guitar. Invoking the feeling and sounds of living by water with this folk/rock song, without the use of sound effects is pure magic, and one of the best in that genre. This is a classic song. Hambleton faces change head on with this melodic and engaging song. It is the perfect way to end the album.

It is easy to look back at any year and wax nostalgic about the music, but 1971 was a pretty special year. John Lennon, Neil Young, Paul McCartney, Carole King, David Bowie, Jethro Tull and so many others released classic albums that hold up today. All The Right Noises is right there along with those titles. All The Right Noises is an album of its time, but it sounds as fresh today as it did over 50 years ago. It is produced beautifully and full of fantastic songs. Hambleton would create a suitable follow-up for this album (also on Capitol Records) and then move into many genres, such as folk, pop, American Standards, jazz and reggae, as a member of the wonderful band, The Sattalites. This reissue allows one to go back to the beginning of his career and enjoy a stunning debut by a fantastic and brilliant artist. It is good to have it back.

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