(Blues-Rock) Ian Parker - Where I Belong - 2007, FLAC (tracks), lossless

For the last decade Ian has been on a journey of discovery, a journey which although far from over, has already provided the young artist with a vast array of experiences which have shaped his musical identity.

The recording of the 'project' album, 'Pilgrimage' in 2005, for which Parker was sent to the deep south of America with Ruf stable-mates Aynsley Lister and Erja Lyytinen, began a process of consolidation for the artist. During this monumental trip, he reconnected with his blues roots, and immediately felt at 'home' in the place where his first true musical love was born. On his return to Europe, Parker set about re-examining in great detail, the work of his blues and soul heroes. Assimilating the lessons learnt from his less bluesy influences, his task now was to bring all of these forces together, in order to truly find himself.

'Where I Belong' is the result of this lengthy artistic process. If he was ever in any doubt, Ian Parker certainly knows who he is now. Unquestionably, a relevant 21st century blues man, Ian is acutely aware of the heritage of his music, as is evident on the passionate 'Love So Cold'. Equally he is in tune with the music of the modern age, as is apparent in the eerie 'Don't Hold Back' and the tortured 'Told My Girl To Go Away', and is able to incorporate those ingredients into his own blues stew - an essential factor in the long term preservation of the genre. 'Until You Show Me', 'Sweet Singing Sirens', and 'Before Our Eyes' are perfect examples of this amalgamation of styles, and of Parker's unique approach to writing.

'Where I Belong' has plenty for guitar lovers, the emotional soloing, which enthrals fans at Ian's live shows, has at long last been captured in the studio. However there is so much more on offer here than mere instrumentalism. A distinctly expressive voice and meaningful, heartfelt songs permeate this landscape, covering familiar Parker topics as well as pastures new. His ongoing search for a sense of belonging is the subject of the album's title track, and further self-analysis can be heard on the hard-hitting blues rocker 'You Could Say'. The trials and tribulations of romantic relations are covered in the yearning blues-ballad 'Coming Home', and the 'R&B'/Soul workout 'Your Love Is My Home'. Parker's song-writing is not entirely focused around his personal life on this record. On 'Waste My Days' for example, he reflects on the common human failing that is, the inability to 'live in the moment'.

Recorded analogue to tape, the album has the rich and warm sonic characteristics associated with the pre-digital age, but there is nothing retro about this release. 'Where I Belong' has something for all blues fans, purists and progressives alike. It catalogues the pronounced growth and self-discovery of a contemporary blues artist who is here to stay.

---

#777#777

-----------------------

DON'T MODIFY THIS FILE

-----------------------

PERFORMER: auCDtect Task Manager, ver. 1.0.3 B1 build 1.0.3.0
Copyright (c) 2008, 2009 y-soft. All rights reserved
http://y-soft.110mb.com

ANALYZER: auCDtect: CD records authenticity detector, version 0.8.2
Copyright (c) 2004 Oleg Berngardt. All rights reserved.
Copyright (c) 2004 Alexander Djourik. All rights reserved.

FILE: 01 - Where I Belong.flac
Size: 34474701 Hash: 099B7CA05F293907796937DE0E306299 Accuracy: -m0
Conclusion: CDDA 100%
Signature: 3423C108F7C5299BA268B1F8CA1F9D2F7F666A61
FILE: 02 - Your Love Is My Home.flac
Size: 40930550 Hash: 0FF45A50566700A8338E9880F8212611 Accuracy: -m0
Conclusion: CDDA 100%
Signature: 570853924DFD724A21B009710E12DB959E26C234
FILE: 03 - Until You Show Me.flac
Size: 31408046 Hash: EAB017CE12DF97D7489DEE4B96368D14 Accuracy: -m0
Conclusion: CDDA 100%
Signature: 887D1F66EFA9E1639DC15BD7C95A2EE8FE58F54D
FILE: 04 - Coming Home.flac
Size: 37792764 Hash: 52B8D55514282ABD65F432184E14A64E Accuracy: -m0
Conclusion: CDDA 100%
Signature: 89120101EC93C2BC569CE20C97B91A8B6068FA4B
FILE: 05 - Waste My Days.flac
Size: 37589146 Hash: 0130257D4A8FFA8D85A74213B006D77F Accuracy: -m0
Conclusion: CDDA 100%
Signature: 1EF2A1544ABA739EEE41332C8289927686E396BC
FILE: 06 - Sweet Singing Sirens.flac
Size: 33405624 Hash: 334454C041919F9772E22B82421723AB Accuracy: -m0
Conclusion: CDDA 100%
Signature: ECB70F7C3D2FAB69CDF54220D2035B0542F7D07A
FILE: 08 - Before Our Eyes.flac
Size: 39436658 Hash: B0BF63DD67A78E7C5FC501CE283E3C45 Accuracy: -m0
Conclusion: CDDA 100%
Signature: 3C692DE83AAC7CB37170B77791E6E87731A6AD0D
FILE: 09 - Don't Hold Back.flac
Size: 45208725 Hash: FF91F5DF492E26DB702DE5CCB2C46350 Accuracy: -m0
Conclusion: CDDA 100%
Signature: 747B89C1E5FDB0E9860E183C80B343AE41B3B362
FILE: 10 - You Could Say.flac
Size: 49971523 Hash: 2299A1D0FCA13D306CD5E572AD460E56 Accuracy: -m0
Conclusion: CDDA 100%
Signature: 735A1664D45ED01425FF9CB0AD259B803D2A95B4
FILE: 11 - Told My Girl To Go Away.flac
Size: 38787973 Hash: 35286E2FDAE010A1F39699B0F34BDA87 Accuracy: -m0
Conclusion: CDDA 100%
Signature: 150755B1CBF62F376B156CFFF48427E2C5A108CA