Although I’m not actually sure what the state of play is with Tindersticks these days (have they split? are they still a going concern?), lead vocalist STUART A.STAPLES is making such wonderfully majestic music as a solo artist that we barely miss them.
Besides, “That Leaving Feeling” – the trailer single for his solo album of the same name – is basically the ‘Sticks in all but name as it features keyboard player Dave Boulter, guitarist Neil Fraser and regular Tindersticks’ horn player Terry Edwards as well as a sultry and convincing star turn from guest vocalist Lhasa De Sela who also previously cropped up on the Tindersticks’ last album “Waiting For The Moon.”
But who’s complaining, basically? I mean, did any of us realistically expect a radical hip-hop departure or that ‘dance element that’s always been in my music’ from Stuart? Don’t make me laugh: Mr. Staples remains one of the most instantly recognisable performers out there and this gorgeous pair of songs are, as always, littered with the expected temptation, loss, dignity and sangfroid.
Recorded at Mark Nevers’ studio in Nashville, “That Leaving Feeling” is a gem. Featuring strings, organ, muted Mariachi brass and a skittery bossa nova beat as well as an undercurrent of Americana, it captures Stuart in fabulously moody vocal form (“the past is so heavy, but it’s something I can’t leave/ the future’s so uncertain it brings me to my knees”) and a magnificent answering part from French-Canadian De Sela. It’s tremendous and might just be Staples’ very best duet since the immortal “Travelling Light”.
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Nominal flipside “There Is A Path” is also from the new “That Leaving Feeling” album and is simply the sound of Stuart spoiling us. It’s a second fantastic soft-shoe shuffle, positively made by Boulter’s fragile, whirring organ, further femmy vocal support and a tangible infusion of Southern soul. Needless to say, the plotline finds Stuart attempting to remain on the straight and narrow as the lady of his desire tries to waylay him. Will he give in? What do you think!
Two gorgeous slices of introverted, soulful magnificence, then. “That Leaving Feeling” is something that seeps into us all at times, but on this occasion it hurts real, real good.
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