Imagine this – you’re renowned as a master musician – an acclaimed finger-style guitarist and songwriter. Then in 2018, out of the blue, you get diagnosed with a degenerative nerve condition. The prognosis is not good – just two more years of playing guitar before your hands would fail to co-operate. What do you do?
For Amit Dattani, whose artistry was deeply rooted in the strings beneath his fingertips, it was naturally, devastating. But ‘Wrong Kind of One’ came along – proof that stories don’t have to end the way they’re expected to.
This is an album of resounding resilience and overcoming the seemingly impossible. A follow up to his critically acclaimed debut, ‘Santiago’, it’s testament to perseverance, adaptation, and the joy of creativity.
Finding hope between the strings of a custom-made guitar, a shift in playing style, and the support of those around him, Amit found a way forward, refusing to let his condition define him.
‘Wrong Kind of One’ is an album about resilience – not just on a personal or physical level, but in navigating the challenges and complexities of the world in general. Through these songs, Amit explores the weight of mental health struggles, the search for hope in uncertain times, and the fight against injustice – all while weaving in deeply personal reflections on family and belonging.
Recorded live in straight takes, ‘Wrong Kind of One’ captures the playful musical chemistry between Amit’s intricate fingerpicked guitar and the dynamic, nuanced drumming of Steph Sanders. The result is an album that feels organic and deeply human – an unfiltered conversation between two musicians who push, challenge and inspire each other.
The title track – ‘Wrong Kind of One’ – is about the terrible journeys communities have had to make escaping violence, hardship, war and destruction – communities that are often dehumanised, abused and mistreated.
‘Steady the Board’ is about keeping on in the face of anxiety – about reaching out to those around you, and learning to be patient with yourself.
The beautiful instrumental ‘Gathering Acorns’ was written during Covid, when Amit watched his toddler son gathering acorns in the local park – innocent and unaware of the unfolding global situation.
‘Golden Days’ continues this theme – also dedicated to his little boy, inspired by their walks to school, singing together and sharing simply joys.
‘Now I Can Play On’ is about gratitude – being able to do the smile things that bring inner peace and purpose – in Amit’s case, picking on his guitar.
Amit covers his favourite Dylan song ‘One Too Many Mornings’ and closes the album with a raw and unadorned instrumental version of the gospel hymn, ‘Just a Closer Walk with Thee’.
With his wry lyrics, warm lyrics and mellifluous guitar to the fore, ‘Wrong Kind of One’ continues Amit’s incredible journey, and his resilience is both humbling and incredible.