James Yorkston & the Athletes - Moving Up Country

Domino - 2002 - 49 minutes

Described as a "legend in the bars of Edinburgh" on his press release, after savouring James Yorkston's debut you'll spend the next couple of days wondering why the ale suppers didn't lock the doors and try and keep him all to themselves. Folky without ever being fuddy, Yorkston recalls his experiences of love, the road and where he's stopped-off along the way.

There are choruses to sing for on the title track and 'Patient Song', numbers that take longer to grow like 'Tender is the Blues' and '6.30 is Way Too Early' and even two foot stompers in 'I Spy Dogs' and 'I Know My Love'.

Thousands of men with acoustic guitars and a few busted romances release albums every year, but this is the one that you really have to own.

Harry Guerin

Tracklisting: In Your Hands - St Patrick - Sweet Jesus - Tender to the Blues - Moving Up Country - Cheating the Game - I Spy Dogs - 6.30 is Way Too Early - Patient Song - I Know My Love