Paddy Milner. Walking on Eggshells. (Bronze
Records Ltd, GBRCD 1001).
1. Walking On Eggshells
2. You Think You’re So Damn Funny
3. After The Rain
4. Unsquare Dance
5. Run For Cover
6. Dreamtime
7. Rollin’ & Tumblin’
8. Can’t Escape The Song
9. Lazy Monday
10. Falling For The Moon
11. I Live The Life I Love
12. Beware Of The Groove
13. Back To The Real World
14. The Awakening
Paddy Milner (piano, vocals, hammond A-100
organ, Rhodes electric piano); Adam Skinner
(drums); Paul Sandy (double bass on tracks
3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12); Chris Hill (double
bass on track 14); Pete Clarke (electric bass
on tracks 1, 2, 6 and 10); Scott Wiber (electric
bass on track 13); Robbie McIntosh (electric
and acoustic guitars on tracks 1, 2, 3, 5,
8, 10 and 11); Randall Breneman (electric
guitar on track 13); Mark Feltham (harmonica
on track 11); Derek Nash (tenor and baritone
saxophones on tracks 2, 5, 6 and 7); Martin
Shaw (trumpet and flugel horn on tracks 2,
5, 6 and 7); Liam Kirkman (trombone on tracks
2, 5, 6 and 7)
It’s a common belief in
jazz purist circles that Britain today has
more than its fair share of bright young hipsters,
modern to the core, intent on dragging the
sacred art form in to the gutters of Top of
the Pops. But twenty-five year old Paddy Milner
seems have something different to offer. His
debut album, 21st Century Boogie, was
released to a flood of outstanding reviews,
solidly sealing his reputation as one of our
most original musicians. On Paul Jones’s Radio
2 show, the album was placed in the year’s
top ten records, whilst Milner himself was
shortlisted for the British Blues Keyboard
Player of 2002. Even the great Jules Holland
has become an ardent fan. "You make the
piano sing," he told Milner - and compliments
don’t come higher than that.
Milner stands out through
his voice alone; charismatic, bold and punky,
it couldn’t be further from the bland crooner-smooth
so prevalent amongst his contemporaries. He
likewise avoids the all-to-common trap of
committing to one particular sound. Drawing
on vast and varied influences, Walking
on Eggshells takes the listener through
an ever-exciting, and often surprising, voyage
of musical genres. With their classic blues
feel and lovely orchestration, ‘Lazy Monday’
and ‘I Live the Life I Love’ will delight
the very staunchest of traditionalists. Those
with slightly more modern tastes will enjoy
the cheeky, sca-like feel of ‘You Think You’re
So Damn Funny’, Milner’s current single. There’s
even a hint of a dance music influence - particularly
on the frantic ‘Falling for the Moon’, with
its drum and bass intro, electronic effects
and funky electric bass line.
Milner’s classical training,
however, is apparent throughout the album,
bringing a mixture of precision and emotion
to many of the gentler tracks. The introduction
to ‘Run for Cover’ - with its quiet, sombre
piano and vocals - shows him capable of great
tenderness. In his solo, then, we get a glimpse
of just how technically brilliant he is, playing
with incredible power and emotion, without
a single superfluous note. With elegance,
ease and sophistication, he builds intensity
gradually, paving the way for the return of
the musicians and bringing the tune to its
climax.
Formal training has also
instilled in Milner a passionate love of composition
- which is evident on each of the eight tracks
here that were written or co-written by him.
But the album also includes a few classics
that jazz fans will no doubt recognise. Dave
Brubeck’s ‘Unsquare Dance’ is a particularly
striking example. Both complex and highly
charismatic at the same time, it demonstrates
the band working well together whilst showcasing
Milner’s incredible virtuosity. Perfectly
arranged and subtly employed, the brass section
add to the depth of piece, whilst leaving
room for Milner to impress. Banging the bass
notes out like thunder, whilst trickling away
at the higher registers, he builds the tune
to an exciting finish, carried off with immense
precision. It’s little wonder that Brubeck
himself said he ‘wouldn’t change a note’.
And neither would I - this
is beautifully created music, interesting,
original and absorbing to the end. It’s only
Milner’s lyrics, in fact, that occasionally
let the album down. Awkward constructions,
clumsy rhymes and jarringly pretentious diction
crop a bit too often for comfort. But chances
are you’ll be busy grooving to pay much attention
to this minor fault. Whilst it’s not always
poetry, ‘Walking on Eggshells’ is brimming
with life and character. Great tunes, great
musicians, and, overall, a great buy.
Robert Gibson
CD Reviews
Bronze Records Ltd, GBRCD 100. 
