Music : Arc Of A Diver

Rating: - Of Steve Winwood's solo efforts this was probably the best
Arc of a diver was Steve Winwood's second solo offering after his eponmynous debut. Moving well away from his earlier work with Traffic, Blind Faith and the Spencer Davis Group, Arc of a Diver has a very early 80's feel to it, with 'electronics' in abundance, though its no less impressive because of that. The album kicks off with a real tour de force "While you see a chance" is a rousing number that was the obvious single from the album. In a sense its almost a 1980's form of gimme some lovin...catchy melody, memorable lyrics and very effective use of keyboards (indeed, Winwood plays virtually all the instruments himself on this album). Second hand woman and the title track Arc of a Diver are fairly mediocre, but "slowdown sundown" and "Dust" though in a similar vein are appreciably better, showcasing Winwoods soulfull vocals well. That leaves us with "Spanish Dancer" and "Night Train", alongside "While you see a chance", the stand out tracks on this album. Curiously both of these songs are best listened to at night. Night train when you're on the road...its the one track which showcases Winwood's vastly underated guitar work...and moves alongs brilliantly the faster your going. I first heard Spanish Dancer in a record shop some 20 years ago and it immediately made me stop in my tracks...it still has that effect. The sound is atmospheric and very underwater...there is something very marine about it, and comes closet to matching the albums catchyly designed cover...its a track that can certainly get you in the mood! yet its not romantic as such more mysterious. Of Steve Winwood's solo efforts this was probably the best....