What do Van Morrison, Chrissie Hynde, Candi Staton, Steve Earl, Ricky Lee Jones, Neil Young all have in common? They feature on Anthony Toner’s new collection of covers. Cleverly called 'Ghost Notes', it’s clear that Toner is in reflective mood, seeking out the tunes that had an impact on his creativity. He delivers these 'Ghost Notes' with candour; direct, decisive interpretations, Toner-style.
Instantly recognisable, Toner defines these tunes with his distinctive voice and guitar form. He calls this ‘Ghost Notes Volume One’. There will be more volumes to look forward to in the future, but first up, lend your ears to his version of Van Morrison’s ‘She Gives Me Religion’. East Belfast meets East Belfast in this rendition. For me, my favourite of Toner’s ten choices.
‘Ghost Notes’ is inescapably diverse. The first three tunes will not fail to please. It’s Chrissie Hynde’s ‘Back on the Chain Gang’ as never heard before, Candi Staton’s ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ taking us back to the seventies and youth club discos, and Daryl Hall’s ‘Everytime You Go Away’ a melody that takes us back to the eighties, to youthful enterprise, to innocence and experience. Toner’s audiences will welcome these new additions to his expansive canon.
Neil Young’s ‘Sugar Mountain’ is a sweet treat, but on a personal note, I’m not so fussed on ‘Scarlet Ribbons’. It’s just one step across the sentimental threshold, and I’ve always appreciated that Anthony Toner casts a wry eye on whatever passes him by, observer style. I guess that’s the challenge with taking covers and making them your own. The story behind the choices is unknown.
This is Anthony Toner’s 11th album. Recorded mostly at home, “using sparse acoustic and electric guitar arrangements” that’s what gives us the intimate, kitchen table vibe. The cover photo, a distant mirror image of the man, recalls the reflective reality, a portrait of the artist at this life stage; a grace note in retrospect.
As always, Toner’s partner in rhyme is Coleraine’s Clive Culbertson. He’s the only other musician involved, mixing the album and adding bass and harmony vocals. There are no plans for any live performances of ‘Ghost Notes’ just yet, but the album is available to buy, download and stream from all usual platforms, or for sale in CD form via the Anthony Toner website.
