Ian Matthews was incredibly prolific in the late-60's/early-70's leaving two albums on the shelf. The 2nd Plainsong album (available on the Water label) is the better of the two, but I was very happy with Gospel Oak when I finally heard it. It was easy to take music of this style and quality for granted 30-odd years ago. Ian had impeccable taste in song-selection, his beautiful voice never missed a note and he always surrounded himself with sympathetic and skilled musicians. This may be an unambitious album - recorded to fullfill his contract with Vertigo I believe - but it is a satisfying one. A comfortable shoe for any fan of Ian Matthews. (Guy R. Ewald)Personnel:
Ian Matthews - guitar, vocals / Jerry Donahue - guitar / Andy Roberts - guitar / Pat Donaldson - bass / Timi Donald - drums
Tracks:
Knowing the Game (Ian Matthews) / Polly (Gene Clark) / Things You Gave Me (Tim Hardin) / Mobile Blue (Mickey Newbury) / Tribute to Hank Williams (Tim Hardin) / Met Her on a Plane (Jimmy Webb) / Bride 1945 (Paul Siebel) / Franklin Avenue (Ian Matthews) / Do Right Woman, Do Right Man (Dan Penn/Chips Moman) / Sing Me Back Home (Merle Haggard)
Expanded: Met Her On A Plane (7 inch single mix) / Devil In Disguise (Chris Hillman) (album outtake) / Knowing The Game (2006 re-recording) / Polly (2006 re-recording) / Franklin Avenue (2006 re-recording) / Tribute To Hank Williams (2006 re-recording) / Devil In Disguise (2006 re-recording)
Expanded files includes cd and vinyl artworks
Ian Matthews - Journeys From Gospel Oak (mp3-320 vinyl rip)
Ian Matthews - Journeys From Gospel Oak (mp3-320 cd expanded)
Ian Matthews - Journeys From Gospel Oak (flac cd expanded)
Contents recovery record for repairing corrupted files with Repair Archive function of WinRAR (Alt+R).