Peter Skellern
The Complete Island & Mercury Recordings
(Mint)
7/10
By Decibel Report - May 16 2021

Born in Bury, where his father was the local mayor, Peter Skellern spent his final days in Cornwall as a deacon and priest of the Church of England. In between, he created a substantial body of idiosyncratic musical work most of which is represented in this six-album compendium of his complete Island and Mercury recordings.

Demonstrating his compositional abilities, Hard Times, as an album, reveals a jaunty multi-tracked vocal and piano approach; not far distant from the sound of some of his contemporaries such as Gilbert O'Sullivan. The barbershop backing vocals might be an acquired taste for some but displays a sense of musical fun on Skellern's part. Throughout, there's a melodious run of toe-tapping tuneful songs showcasing how he brushed up against success in the easy listening genre. The peculiarly titled Kissing In The Cactus album progresses this approach as Skellern smoothly interprets a recording of smart middle of the road songs.

The addition of Steve James (son of Sid) engineering the sound, and the Grimethorpe Colliery Band providing the brass, provides the Skellern album with a sonic bounce over which he delivers his hushed vocal styling. Yet, it's the Astaire album that many recall him with affection for his classy interpretations of fleet-footed Fred's famous songs. An affection that has grown over the years as Cheek To Cheek, They Can't Take That Away From Me, Night And Day, and Top Hat, White Tie And Tails fully showcase Skellern in his true element as a balladeer.

Interspersing classic songs, with his own originals, 1980's Still Magic contains his re-telling of his musical hero Hoagy Carmichael's songs; plus re-recording two of his oldies: the title song Still Magic and Too Much I'm In Love improving on the originals that find a better company on this album.

The final album featured here, A String Of Pearls, has pronounced similarities to the Astaire album being cover versions of songs from that golden era and recorded with a full big band sound. Although a very successful composer in his own right, Peter Skellern's abilities as an interpreter of classic sepia-tinted songs is where his musical heart beats the strongest on this charming collection released on the Mint label.