He played many times at Keele in the seventies with his band The Sunsets, then went on to become the biggest selling act in the UK in the eighties. Now Shakin’ Stevens is back with a new album, his twelfth,  and one that might surprise long-time fans. Echoes Of Our Times is darker and more serious than his normal style

The rock and roll style of This Ole House and Green Door has exited stage left. Blues, roots, Americana and classic rock take centre stage on this surprising record. A labour of love, detailing stories from his intriguing family history, Shaky’s created a remarkable musical tribute to his ancestors

Echoes Of Our Times grew from Shaky’s realisation that, like most of us, he knew so very little about the background of his family – the stories of his ancestors’ loves and lives lost, and their struggles to survive. Research revealed tales of poverty and strife in the Cornish copper mines, of bravery and loss in war, of philanthropic preachers and stoic Salvationists, of children suffering and of family secrets and feuds

In songs such as ‘Behind Those Secrets And Lies’, ‘The Fire In Her Blood’, ‘Down In The Muddy Water’ and ‘Last Man Alive’, Shaky produces songs of candour, of homage and all backed off with the resounding beat and honest appraisal of a man to whom memory has surfaced

The album gave Shaky the opportunity to experiment and use instruments that he has previously used on stage but never before on a recording. Each story set the scene for the music and dictated which instruments were used. Down in The Hole features harmonica, Dobro guitar and harmonium to capture the feel and provide the atmosphere – hence it has elements of folk, rock and swampy blues. Keeping the harmonica and adding banjo, flute and military snare, gave a sound that was reminiscent of the past, helping to paint a picture for the title track Echoes Of Our Times by joining folk rock with delta blues

Fans looking for that more traditional Shaky sound will love the upbeat Train of Time, it is in the same style as the other songs but a little more upbeat with some great use of harmonica and a shuffling snare drum

Every family has at least one secret, or more, somewhere, and Shaky’s is no exception. by its very nature, dictated the need for a very dark and mysterious feel. Behind Those Secrets And Lies dictated the need for a very dark and mysterious feel.  The cello and bottleneck guitar, coupled with the acoustic guitar figure, in a minor key, provides that haunting backdrop to guide the listener through the sadness of the lyrics. By contrast the rousing song Last Man Alive, with its infectious blend of guitars, brass and piano, provides a welcome lift to close the album

A cracking album, Echoes Of Our Times is irresistible