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Little Victories, a CD which made me really curious, because Ian Thomson (who played bass in Sid's band "Coal Porters") played this to the Lindisfarne members when they were in search for someone to produce what later became "Here Comes The Neighbourhood". The band liked what they heard and gave Sid a try.

Unlike what I expected it does not contain anything at all from Sid's past, what means no 'Creedence Clearwater Revival' or 'Byrds' music, no Rickenbacker 12-strings, no California sound. It's far more a quiet 'folk' album similar to James Taylor or maybe 'Carole King for guitar'.

For a more detailed description, please enjoy the following CD review by Andy Bassett.

SID GRIFFIN * Little Victories

The production on this whole album is very warm and intimate. You feel Sid is standing pretty close to you. After the post-punk country rock of the Long Ryders and the pub rock feel of the Coal Porters, this album is a very laidback affair and feels much more personal. I commented to Sid about this in an e-mail interview last year. His response:

"Yes, and it was all recorded in one fairly small room with the same people over and over. Anytime you do this a project has a much better feel than when you use a lot of people in a lot of different studios over a long period of time".

"But it was good to get an album out under my own name for the first time and to not have to feel obligated to put all that ballsy rock 'n' roll stuff on it. It was nice to let the more melodic, acoustic cowboy side of me run wild for a change, take charge for a change."

So here is Little Victories track by track. All lyrical interpretations are my own and I reserve the right to be wrong.

When I'm Out Walking With You

A simple, acoustic love song, featuring a gentle harmony by Pat McGarvey, also credited with "El Cheapo fretless bass" and I have to say, the bass does sound a bit dodgy in places but it's all part of the charm.

Jimmy Reed

Sid has never shied away from paying tribute to his heroes. In this case, a rather sad view of the blues legend in his later performances: "Jimmy Reed tonight in person/We're watching a good man drown."

Good Times Tomorrow, Hard Times Today

A solo performance by Sid. A lovely fingerpicked tune, first time you hear it, you'd swear you'd heard it before. It's a stirring song of hope and the best song Woody Guthrie never wrote.

The Rate of Exchange

Continuing the theme of hardship and poverty, but in a lighter vein. An uptempo, skiffly tune with brushed snare, bar-room piano and a rousing chorus of "Hey ho where does the money go when all the money's down the drain." In fact, I have to say it reminds me of Alan Hull * no kidding!

I Wish I Was a Mountain

Classic Sid Griffin imagery, on a par with "If I Were a Bramble And You Were a Rose," his old Long Ryders B-side. The melody and chord progressions spiral up dramatically in that baroque way favoured by composers as diverse as Vivaldi and Brian Wilson - take a simple melody and keep taking it up as far as you can get away with it. Time to mention the tasteful guitar work of Wesley McGhee throughout this album. His lead guitar and dobro are just perfect on here. Kate St John (ex-Dream Academy oboist/saxophonist, now Sid's wife) provides accordion accompaniment.

Distant Trains

My personal favourite. A song about the fear of being left behind by the one you love. Beautifully picked Spanish guitar by Sid and subtle textures by Wesley embellish the various transport images  trains, planes, steamboats. A fine, intimate vocal.

Sailors and Soldiers

A Phil Ochs cover, sung in duet with Billy Bragg. It's a song about the senselessness of sending young men to war. Billy gets to sing the best line: "Too young to be shaving but the flags are a-waving."

The Man Who Invented The Blues

A harmony from Ian Thomson and a fine string quartet arranged by Kate augment Sid's guitar and vocal. Another spiralling melody and chord cycle. Sad and witty at the same time. "It wasn't Paulina Poritzkova who said I'll hafta think it over/It's all on account of you I'm painting in the key of blue."

Monk's Mood

Hey, Sid plays Thelonious! A short, fun jaunt through Monk's classic tune, faded too soon. Perhaps it was a spontaneous jam that died out.

Flak Jacket

Harrowng war imagery delivered solo with guitar and harmonica. Some of the angry energy of the Long Ryders is here, only without the backing band.

Alma Mater

Well, I reckon Sid just doesn't like war! Here he's been called up and sent far from home, which he's now missing, though you could read in a spot of "An American Muso in London" into this. Kate provides a dusky harmony.

Jerusalem Road

The road to some kind of salvation? The road to kingdom come, perhaps. More Woody imagery with a country-blues feel, to close the album.

Overall, a modest little gem. A touch of folk and a touch of country but I'd be cautious of filing it under either of those categories. It's just simple, honest acoustic music of the highest quality. I get something new out of this album every time. Enjoy!

Andy Bassett, May 99, New Zealand

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Album Cover Info

Recorded at Spot Watkins Sound Recorders. Dedicated to Spot Watkins (1980-1996), a warm and gentle spirit and a true friend of music. Mastered by Mark Embleton at Porky's.