The Silencers - A Blues For Buddah (1988)

"A Blues For Buddha" was the second release for the quartet the Silencers. A Scottish folk-pop band that injects some traditional instrumentation into their work, the Silencers, like fellow Scottish bands the Proclaimers, Del Amitri, and Deacon Blue, are consistently melodic and occasionally breathtaking. There is also the deep title track "Blues For Buddah", it´s a bit heavy-handed (the similarly themed "Walk With the Night" works better), but even the weaker songs are still fairly enjoyable.
Also the optimistic, horn-driven "The Real McCoy" (the "be do, do be do do, be do do" is infectious) and the surging, pop-savvy "Razorblades of Love" are examples of the latter and showing  different styles in the Silencers repertoire. All these ingedients added make this a must for all Silencers and Celt Rock fans. It didn't matter as "A Blues for Buddha" met with a less-than-enthusiastic public response, although they did manage a minor radio hit with "Scottish Rain.
" With this release the real talents of Jimmy O'Neil shine through.From the early days of the band, this album is a joy to listen to.

Track listing

01.  "Answer Me"  (The Silencers)  - 4:57   
02.  "Scottish Rain"  (The Silencers)  - 7:11   
03.  "Real Mc Coy"  (The Silencers)  - 6:04   
04.  "A Blues for Buddha"  (The Silencers)  - 3:08   
05.  "Walk With the Night"  (The Silencers)  - 5:30   
06.  "Razor Blades of Love"  (The Silencers)  - 4:51   
07.  "Skin Games"  (The Silencers)  - 5:48   
08.  "Wayfaring Stranger"  (The Silencers)  - 3:09   
09.  "Sacred Child"  (The Silencers)  - 7:35   
10.  "My Love Is Like A Wave/Razor Blade Reprise2  (The Silencers)  - 6:09   
11.  "Sand and Stars"  (The Silencers)  - 1:32

Credits
Jimme O'Neill - vocals, guitar, harmonica
Cha Burns - vocals, guitar
Joseph Donnelly - bass
Martin Hanlin - drums
David Crichton - fiddle (on "Answer Me" and "Sacred Child")
John Nevans - bagpipes
The McCluskey Brothers - background vocals (on "Scottish Rain"), Phantom Horns
Producer - Flood, The Silencers

Notes
Recorded at Ca. Va. Studios, Glasgow, Scotland
Genre:  Pop, Rock
Length:  53:55
Label:  RCA Records

© 1988