Nic Jones - Game Set Match [CD]

Although Nic Jones has not performed in public nor recorded for almost 25 years, his standing and influence in the folk music world have never been higher. Nic first ventured as a solo performer in the early 1970s, building a reputation as a demon guitar player as well as highly individual singer. A tragic car accident in 1982 abruptly ended his playing career. Nic's injuries were so serious, he spent seven months in hospital and has not performed since. His 1980 album for Topic, 'Penguin Eggs' (TSCD411), which won awards for Folk Album Of The Year in both Melody Maker and Folk Roots, has since been named as one of the 100 Greatest British Albums. GAME SET MATCH is a brand new collection of live recordings from the late 1970s. Put together as a labour of love, these 15 tracks represent Nic at the height of his powers and have been selected for the vivacity and vitality of the performances. His reputation as an unparalleled guitarist is fully served here, yet the true revelation is what a great singer he is. The album is not programmed as a live concert recording - having had the audience noises edited out - it has the passion and intimacy that can only come with an artist such as Nic performing in front of an audience, yet without the distractions that a "live in concert" recording normally brings. The re-mastering has been painstakingly and sensitively carried out on these recordings which come from a variety of sources, and the artistic success of the resulting album surpasses more "studio bound" creations. The whole project had considerable input from, and the blessing of, Nic and his wife Julia.