Finley Emmett - Emmett Finley

Facts First ever reissue of this genre defying lost masterwork from 1971. "Blessed with a reedy, delicate voice reminiscent of Neil Young at his most reflective. Finley had an ability to grapple with love, loneliness and the wanderer's life. It is a pleasure to have his long lost country gospel gem in the world once more." Will Hodgkinson. Imagine songs redolent of prime 'Doom Trilogy' Neil Young, Love, Exile On Main Street's honk via the swagger of Stone Roses (no kidding). Add the crushed biblical ballads of Bill Fay plus mini rock operas and we're close to describing this ornately crafted but beautifully raw collection. Like Fay, he was a willful studio maverick, a virtuoso who pushed his music as far as it would go and no mind for a career. Both eschew 70's strings in favour of driven piano, loose skronky guitar. And soul to burn. Guests included gospel trio The Ellington Sisters. Emmett enthused about their adventurous collaboration including a powerful "Three part harmony on G diminished 7th chords" & lovely snarl on "Gospel's" finale "Come, come and believe..." giving way to two minutes of vocal musique concrète - and you're only midway through side one! Lyrically beautiful and haunted, Emmett later described his main influence was 'the Time'.