Cherry Red have dug out a superb collection of songs performed in tribute to Jim Capaldi, one of our masters of rock songwriting.

Release Date: 25th April 2025

Label: Cherry Red Records

Format: 2CD/ Bluray

A well respected group of established artists turned out to pay tribute to one of Britain’s best in 2007. This 2CD remastered edition has been extended to include a Bluray film of the live concert. Although Jim Capaldi is best known for his work with Traffic he left many amazing pieces of solo material to add to his musical heritage. Appropriately Steve Winwood contributes with Dear Mr Fantasy. He also joins some Brit and US rock royalty, which it is fair to say he and JC breeched, for the final track Love Will Keep Us Alive.

PLEASANT SURPRISES

There are some pleasant musical surprises amongst them from Paul Weller’s versions of early traffic hits Paper Sun and Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush. They’re pretty close to the originals with his own special vocal stamp. His exemplary guitar work is also on show in a raucous version of Pearly Queen. Joe Walsh also adds his instantly recognisable vocal skills and guitar style to Forty Thousand Headman and the folky John Barleycorn.

It is fitting that many of his British musical contemporaries like Pete Townsend, Yusuf/Cat Stevens, Jon Lord and Simon Kirke put their own inimitable craft into their respectful offerings even though they were better known for a different style of rock to Jim Capaldi. For example Pete Townshend’s acoustic version of No Face, No Name, No number sounds like it has been pulled off Who’s Next? Brilliant

The late Gary Moore’s powerful version of Evil Love shows him at his guitar-licking best. Bassist Bill Wyman is among the several of the chosen cast working with Jon Lord , Joe W, and Jim’s percussionist brother, Philip, on a couple of tracks.

Jim Capaldi’s well deserved induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 is justified by his timeless contribution to Rock music. This will be prolonged with the astonishing versions of his music on this album. Whether watching the live footage or just selecting specific tracks from the CD’s to listen to this is a magical listening experience.

VALUE FOR MONEY

The value for money package also includes an illustrated booklet, offering a replica of the Concert programme , new, rare insights into the event and the artists who took part.

Here’s one from the not too distant archive:

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