Exclusive Album Review ‘You Belong to Blue’ Martin Stephenson and The Daintees By Katy B (LCR FM - The Sunday Underbelly)

The overall vibe of ‘You Belong to Blue’ as an album is intimate and relaxed with a joyous mood of expectation throughout, whilst retaining the distinctive Stephenson trademarks of lush arrangements and understated but sublime guitar embellishments. 

It comes with the same inherent romanticism that attracts a demographic of a certain age to the Stephenson catalogue too - with a strong sense of musicality, this is an irresistible selection of poetic songwriting and lush balladry. 

The opening track being the longest on the album sets the smooth, laid back mood, Broken Nights/Faded Cities entices you to sing along from the off. 

Next, Sweet September Rain swirls along  through subtle guitar licks lulling you into the groove too. 

Then, You Belong To Blue, the title track and one of the stand-out songs on the album opens with a prolonged intro and extends into a dreamy, drifting melody which conjures up images of relaxation and reverie, with the lightness of backing vocals from Anna Lavigne adding a lilt and a swing that is both seductive and intimate. 

The utterly charming country croon of What Makes Annabelle Sad grooves along with it’s appealing, chiming guitar licks. 

The anthemic Beautiful Day is another stand-out track, the ultimate Summer sing-a-long and leaves me hoping tambourines come as standard on their merch stand when they tour this album!  

I am reminded of ‘Little Red Bottle’ with Better get Sam, a good honest rocker with blues roots, great guitars, heroic Hammond sounds from Liam Fender, this one sticks in your head long after the album has ended. 

This leads us into the perfect slice of pop coming in at under 2-minutes When Will You Be Mine - channels all of the Buddy Holly energy, with a delightful guitar lick mirroring the vocal melody. Upbeat, cheerful, short and sweet.

The gentle Caribbean mood of Clear Blue Sky of Better Days with hints of steel drums and a muted skanking riff, has the cadence and childlike memorability of a nursery rhyme for the grown-ups.

Cynthia Rainbow Lady is simply a beautiful love letter from the dear departed, an enduring story of love and loss. Deeply comforting. 

The album ends with the crescendo of Echoes and Ripples - it’s childlike playfulness and positivity only accentuated by the recorder solo. With joyous school assembly energy and a fantastic marching reprise this song leaves you in a euphoric state of mind. 

If you’re in need of a musical manifesto for life - join Martin Stephenson and The Daintees in this march towards contentment and gladness!

Check out the Daintees website https://daintees.co.uk/home

Additional detail on the specifics of the album:

Martin Stephenson: Acoustic & electric rhythm guitars 

Gary Dunn: Acoustic & electric lead guitars 

Anth Dunn: Electric bass guitars 

Charlie Smith: Drumming and percussion 

Liam Fender: Keyboards 

Anna Lavigne & Tony Stephenson Backing vocals 

Plus special guests: Johnny Caverner Double Bass & Keith Shepherd Additional drumming & percussion on the Annabelle song! 

Recorded & mixed by John Martindale @ Blank Studios, Newcastle Upon Tyne 

Produced & Arranged by Martin Stephenson 

Published by Sentric Music ©