‘Witness’ from Benjamin Booker is Eastside Radio’s Album Of The Week.
‘Witness’ is Booker’s second album, the follow up to his self-titled debut from 2013. People talk about writing the “difficult second album”, however Booker doesn’t appear to have suffered at all from this oft-referenced pressure. The new album is a strong, concise record, full of confident songwriting and a nod to simplicity of structure. It’s great to see an artist striding as confidently into the fray as this. ‘Witness’ is a record of soul, acoustic and electric blues, with a healthy dose of garage fuzz, all fused with Booker’s incredible gravelly voice.
Booker travelled from the US to Mexico to create some space to write the album, feeling the weight of the race-charged, divisive politics, violent incidents and tragic media headlines in his home country. However while abroad, he found that he needed to turn back to face some of those very same issues in the album writing process.
The album’s title track ‘Witness’ also features Mavis Staples on vocals. And for those interested in delving in Booker’s back catalogue, there’s also a four-track EP, called Waiting Ones, from 2012.
We’ll be bringing you selections from the album all week. Eastside Radio Supporters can win copies of the album by tuning into our Eastside Drive programs, 4pm-6pm every weekday.
‘Witness’ is out though Rough Trade Records, and Remote Control Records – and you find more information, buy, listen to, watch or stream the album online here.