Additional information
Personnel: Steve Winwood (vocals, guitar, keyboards, organ, synthesizer, percussion); Mike Dolan (guitar, programming); Davy Spillane (Uillean pipes); Jim Capaldi (drums, percussion, background vocals). Recorded at Woodstock, Kilcoole, Ireland. The fervent, aching timbre of Steve Winwood's voice is one of the enduring sound signatures in contemporary pop. In reviving his career with such hit albums as ARC OF A DIVER, a new Steve Winwood emerged from the ashes of the old--a smooth R&B crooner and song stylist. And as good as all the subsequent albums have been, something in Winwood yearned for the freedom of his youth. Not as an exercise in nostalgia or as a rejection of his current directions, but to pick up the loose threads of stylistic milestones such as MR. FANTASY, JOHN BARLEYCORN MUST DIE and THE LOW SPARK OF HIGH HEELED BOYS. FAR FROM HOME finds Winwood going back home with longtime collaborator Jim Capaldi, to the countryside of Southern Ireland, to recapture some of the spontaneous, improvisatory spirit of the early Traffic records. With Capaldi providing lyrics plus drums and percussion, Winwood's talents as a vocalist and instrumentalist are center stage. On arrangements such as the title tune and "Nowhere Is There Freedom," Winwood's richly voiced Hammond organ provides a pulsating carpet of sound for his keening voice, and a launching pad for his emotive (and underrated) electric guitar work. Modern sampling technology even allows him to re-capture the breathy elegance of the late Chris Wood's flute counterpoint. The songs benefit from Winwood's renewed enthusiasm for traditional forms, such as gospel and blues, and Afro-Cuban music. "State Of Grace" in particular addresses the demons which afflicted Winwood for many years, recounting his sense of loss while counting the blessings that afforded him a second chance. "This Train Won't Stop" finds Winwood returning to his youth, as he reflects on the bitter grind of everday life and again calls for the healing of the spirit. Reading almost like a get well letter to himself, FAR FROM HOME reconciles Winwood's deep spiritual yearnings and jazzy instrumentl skills with the feel-good craftmanship of his pop ascendancy.
