Date:
1 February 2006
Originally published in:
Q (UK)
In 1987 Black's huge hits Sweetest Smile and Wonderful Life suggested Colin Vearncombe was destined for songwriting greatness. Instead, he lost his major deal and scrabbled around on the margins for the best part of a decade. Between Two Churches suffers from its limited budget and Vearncombe's wearing new found tendency to think he's a blues man, especially on the ghastly Cold Chicken Skin. He isn't, he's simply a songwriter of distinction with an appealing voice and when he hits the lyrical mark, as on the heartbreaking Her Coat And No Knickers and the wry career update Are You Having A Wonderful Life?, he's a genuine lost talent.
3 Stars.