MUTTER SLATER BAND Field Of Stone

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When Slater is dispensing heavy truths and Chris Cleave is delivering mournful guitar lines, the sense of alienation is so strong that it’s impossible not to wonder whether those stones, once gathered, could become material for the impenetrable obstacle of “There’s A Wall” – a gloomily glimmering finale of a rather moody record.

This is why affairs of the heart may be the only remedy our here and now need, so even though “Something We Knew As Love” – a sax-smeared and organ-oiled slice of soul – is stricken with reminiscences about better times, it’s defiantly jubilant, as is the “Caroline Motion” whose punchy funk is bristling with brass – a pity Mutter’s flute doesn’t join the reeds’ ensemble on this album – only to announce another death wish. Still, his voice fills the languid, “against the wall” resignation of “Losing It” with mellifluous acceptance, and the equally lucid “Love Is The Stranger” turns the optimism of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” – Mutter’s reference point – into murky perspective. As a result, spiritual sway would only be logical for “Folding” to roll towards screaming abandon and to the quiet understanding of “Weird Kid” which should let some country-kissed sunshine in.

Not for nothing “You’re The Reason” is upbeat – and, having a reggae tinge, offbeat, too: if the ground is shaky, there’s a need for something solid to hold on to… so perhaps, the time has come to gather those stones and pave the road to future. That’s what Mutter Slater is trying to tell the world. ****

DMME.net (December 2018)


The latest addition to Mutter’s impressive back catalogue mines a rich vein of polished melodicism, and devotees of his work in the past would be well advised to lend an ear to heartfelt creations such as ‘Love Is The Stranger’, ‘Weird Kid’ and ‘Field Of Stone’ itself.

Kevin Bryan, regional newspapers (November 2018)


…there’s a great deal of melancholy in Field Of Stone with only ‘You’re The Reason’ bringing the sole real glimpse of optimism. And yet I call it enjoyable. I guess I can relate to where Mutter is coming from – ‘Weird Kid’ and ‘There’s A Wall’ both resonate with me – and if you’re feeling bad this is the album to feel bad to. 4/5 stars

RnR Magazine (November 2018)


Field Of Stone is the Mutter Slater Band’s latest album…Billy Bragg said of Mutter Slater: “He has one of the greatest voices in British Rock and he writes a mean song too”…Also available on Angel Air Records featuring Mutter Slater is the previous album ‘The Champ’ and ‘Stackridge – The Final Bow, Bristol 2015′.

Bev Bevan, Sunday Mercury (October 2018)


This veteran performer is best remembered these days for his quirky exploits with prog rockers Stackridge almost half a century ago, but Mutter Slater has been blessed with one of the finest voices in British rock and he now has an opportunity to indulge his genuine passion for R&B, blues and soul via splendid albums such as this. The latest addition to Mutter’s impressive back catalogue mines a rich vein of polished melodicism, and devotees of his work in the past would be well advised to lend an ear to heartfelt creations such as “Love Is The Stranger,” “Weird Kid” and “Field Of Stone” itself.

Original Rock.net (October 2018)

 

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