Lloyd Spiegel – This Time Tomorrow
Self-Release – 2017
10 tracks; 34 minutes
Australian Lloyd Spiegel has been around a while as this is his ninth release but the first studio album since 2010. Lloyd confesses that he does not write at home, preferring the inspiration of travel and quiet hotel rooms. Lloyd sings and plays both electric and acoustic guitars and both are in evidence across this pleasantly varied disc. Joining Lloyd are Tim Burnham on drums and Arunachala on percussion, plus guests Doc White (mandolin on one track), Lisa Sutton (trombone on one track) and Marty and Riley Spiegel (Lloyd’s brothers?) play additional guitars on one track each.
The album opens impressively with “Devil On My Shoulder”, a full band sound with Lloyd’s attractive riff at the heart of one of those ‘blues musician meets Devil’ songs that draw you into the narrative, Lloyd overdubbing a solid electric solo on top of his acoustic and electric rhythm work. The next two songs both reference travelling cross Germany: “All The Cats Are Grey” is a gentle tune, again with acoustic and electric guitars and a feel that recalls Al Stewart in his prime; percussionist Arunachala is heard to full advantage on the title track “This Time Tomorrow” which adds Doc White’s mandolin to Lloyd’s rhythmic acoustic playing before “Stranger Things” recounts the tale of being taken in by a stranger during weather problems in Amsterdam.
“Kansas City Katy” brings us into the USA with a definite blues tune and a nostalgic look back into Lloyd’s past as he gives us some attractive acoustic playing well supported by Tim’s brushes and Arunachala’s percussion. A tattooed lady offers to guide Lloyd round Philadelphia in “Lost Like Me”, a short uptempo electric tune. The trombone adds a New Orleans feel to “Cure My Soul” and dual guitars are featured on the uptempo “Trigger”. “Into The Blue” again recalls Al Stewart on a gentle tune with acoustic guitar and percussion as Lloyd gets sentimental: “Here by the light of the moon, with all my indiscretions out of view, my love will fade into the blue, here by the light of the moon”. The album closes with “Call You When I Get There”, a blues with Lloyd promising “not to grow while I’m gone”.
Lloyd has a good voice and the lyrics come across clearly. His guitar playing is excellent throughout, whether on electric or acoustic and the whole album is a pleasant listen, if somewhat on the short side by modern standards.
