Matthews' Southern Comfort – Second Spring

Matthews' Southern Comfort – Second Spring

Second Spring is the second album from Matthews' Southern Comfort, the British folk-rock and country-rock band led by former Fairport Convention vocalist Ian Matthews. Originally released in 1970 on Uni Records, the album captures the group at an important point in the development of the British country-rock sound, combining Matthews' distinctive vocals with rich acoustic arrangements, pedal steel guitar and close vocal harmonies.

Following his departure from Fairport Convention, Ian Matthews initially recorded under the Matthews' Southern Comfort name as a solo project. The touring band that subsequently formed around him became a fully fledged group, featuring musicians including Gordon Huntley on pedal steel guitar, Mark Griffiths on lead guitar, Carl Barnwell on guitar, Andy Leigh on bass and Ray Duffy on drums. Second Spring was the first album to properly showcase this established band line-up.

The album is a beautifully understated blend of British folk-rock, country rock and American-influenced country-folk, with Matthews' clear, warm vocal style at its centre. The band's use of pedal steel, fiddle, acoustic guitar and harmony vocals gives the record an unmistakably early-1970s country-rock character, while retaining the more delicate sensibility of the British folk scene from which Matthews emerged.

Side A opens with Ballad Of Obray Ramsey, a gentle country-folk number that sets the tone for the album, followed by Moses In The Sunshine and the traditional song Jinkson Johnson. Tale Of The Trial closes the side with Matthews' songwriting alongside the band's understated acoustic instrumentation.

Side B begins with the traditional Blood Red Roses, featuring layered harmony vocals, before Even As provides a showcase for Carl Barnwell's songwriting. The medley-like pairing of Even As / D'Arcy Farrow gives the side additional variety, followed by Matthews Southern Comfort's interpretation of James Taylor's Something In The Way She Moves. The album closes with Southern Comfort, written by Canadian folk artist Sylvia Fricker, whose composition also gave the group its name.

The album was well regarded at the time, with Cash Box describing Second Spring as a standout release and praising Matthews' songwriting and vocal performance, while highlighting the band's refreshing take on soft country music.

Second Spring is also an important precursor to the band's breakthrough later in 1970. Following the album, Matthews Southern Comfort recorded their celebrated version of Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock", which became a UK No. 1 single in October 1970. That success brought the band international attention, although Matthews subsequently became uncomfortable with the commercial direction and the group's country-rock image.

For collectors of Matthews Southern Comfort vinyl, British folk rock, country rock and 1970s singer-songwriters, Second Spring is an essential addition. It is particularly recommended for fans of Fairport Convention, Ian Matthews, Fotheringay, The Byrds, Joni Mitchell and early British country rock.

A warm, beautifully played and influential slice of early-1970s British folk-rock, Second Spring finds Ian Matthews and his band creating an understated meeting point between British folk tradition and American country music.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Ballad Of Obray Ramsey
2. Moses In The Sunshine
3. Jinkson Johnson
4. Tale Of The Trial

Side B

1. Blood Red Roses
2. Even As / D'Arcy Farrow
3. Something In The Way She Moves
4. Southern Comfort