Egan; Joe: Out Of Nowhere

"Stuck In The Middle" is still a song you're likely to hear on the radio or as incidental music on TV, its memorable chorus and hummable melody propelling Stealers Wheel into chart hit status back in 1973. It didn't last though, the band's core, Joe Egan and Gerry Rafferty, deciding their destinies lay down different paths. For a variety of reasons (mostly legal) neither could release solo material for the three years after the band's split, Rafferty going on to global acclaim thanks to a cracking song and the ultimate saxophone intro, in the shape of "Baker Street". Egan however took a year longer to get his debut solo effort out there, Out Of Nowhere hitting the shelves in 1979 and scoring minor singles chart success through "Back On The Road". The album however didn't make much of a mark, the follow up Map, two years later gaining even less traction. Causing Egan to bow out of the public eye and in latter years become a music publisher. However Out Of Nowhere, available here for the first time on CD, proves what a loss this undoubted talent has been.

A close listen suggests this remaster comes from a vinyl source, a few pops and clicks evident in the quieter moments and yet the sheer vibrancy of the music makes up for any slight sonic deficiencies. Laid back and mainly acoustic, Out Of Nowhere delivers a confident, assured set of songs which take it easy, while still being crammed with energy. Egan's voice is in commanding form, his smooth style carrying the melody as often as not and instantly engaging the ear, while the clever guitar work – much of which is acoustic – sets the scene. Unsurprisingly there's a strong likeness to the classic Stealers Wheel sound, while the links to Gerry Rafferty's solo output ensure fans of one really should be fans of the other.

"No Time For Sorrow" drips in vocal harmonies The Eagles would be proud to call their own, while "Leaving It All Behind" (which along with "Why Let It Bother You" appear to be referencing the parting of Stealers Wheel) adds a thoroughly believable boogie element. "Pride" on the other hand finds a slice of soul played out in confident manner, as "The Last Farewell" suggests that Rod Stewart could have had a massive hit with it, had he got his tonsils round it. Add in the maudlin and possibly most obviously linked to Rafferty in musical style, "Back On The Road", which opens the album in beautiful fashion and breezy bar blues of "Ask No Favours" and Out Of Nowhere proves a gently eclectic release which barely puts a foot wrong.

With some of the less than stellar albums that have been given copious reassessments and reissues over the years, it really is amazing that an album this good has sat on the shelf for more than three and a half decades. Credit to Angel Air Records and Joe Egan for righting that wrong. With interesting liner notes from Egan's brother Kevin, comments from the album producer David Courtney (who did a great job of capturing the relaxed vibe, yet making it sound vibrant) and a full set of lyrics, Out Of Nowhere really is an excellent re-release. Hopefully Map is next, however even more interestingly, the liner notes also hint at other previously unreleased Egan recordings seeing the light of day. Until then, get set to welcome Out Of Nowhere in from the cold. It'll warm your heart if you do.

Track Listing
1. Back On The Road
2. Ask For No Favours
3. Natural High
4. Why Let It Bother You
5. The Last Farewell
6. Freeze
7. Pride
8. No Time For Sorrow
9. Leaving It All Behind
10. Out Of Nowhere

Added: March 22nd 2016
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Out Of Nowhere at Angel Air
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Language: english

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