'Matthew Fisher' / 'Strange Days'

Reviewed by Ian Cranna

Matthew Fisher was Hammond organist to Gary Brooker's piano in Procol Harum, until 1969. Then, he produced, made two solo albums for Victor Records and ran his studio in Croydon.

In 1980/81, he made this brace for Mercury. Bearing little resemblance to Procol Harum, they're polished, keyboard-led soft rock sets, recalling Elton John, ELO and Bread, but without the vitality or ability to involve.

The first, featuring Dave Mattacks, Tim Renwick and Rod Argent, is pleasant but so straightforward as to be almost unmemorable. The big ballad Anna and the upbeat Running From Your Love are the pick, though Looking For Shelter and Miss Suzie suggest a missed career in Nashville hard corn.

The second (recorded with a less exalted cast) was never released in the UK. Mostly co-written with Chris White (late of The Zombies), it has more energy and variety - the Ultravox-style soundscapes of Something I Should Have Known, the doo-wop inflections of Take Me For A Ride - but Matthew Fisher's expressionless voice and plodding self-pity arouse irritation rather than sympathy.