“Second Chapter” is an album by British blues rock musician Danny Kirwan, released in 1975 on the DJM Records label. This was his first solo album after leaving Fleetwood Mac in 1972, and his solo career was being managed by ex-Mac manager Clifford Davis. It starts off with an uncharacteristic "Ram Jam City," which has more Lindsey Buckingham sounds than one would expect, especially since the two guitarists come from two different musical worlds. "Odds and Ends" is more lighthearted, the kind of music Paul McCartney toyed with on The White Album's "Rocky Raccoon." What Second Chapter immediately sets forth is the importance of Kirwan as a pop artist, and how, despite Fleetwood Mac's success after he left, his sounds could still have been beneficial to that supergroup. "Hot Summers Day" is a fine example of that, a beautiful song that could offset Buckingham's gritty ramblings. It would have made a nice counterpoint as Stevie Nicks complemented Christine McVie's tunes with her adventures, bringing an important change of pace to that popular band's hits. The jacket looks like a dusty old family album-style book holding Kirwan's Second Chapter. And the music reflects that old-world feel in titles like "Skip a Dee Doo" and "Falling in Love with You." Three of the best songs on this excellent outing are "Love Can Always Bring You Happiness," "Second Chapter," and a sleepy and beautiful number called "Silver Streams." Kirwan's tune is haunting as well with its lilting "all you need is love to show you the way from here" chorus. As on a follow-up album, he tends to sound a little like the group America, the vocals with that same America tone and warmth. They very well could have covered "Silver Stream" or "Cascades," the album's final track. This material was crafted right in the middle of America's run of hits, and maybe they should have replaced Dan Peek with Dan D. Kirwan? The artist's three solo discs cut in the '70s make for a very pleasant and thought-provoking listening experience, and that this collection is so good only shows he kicked his departure from the big band off with a vengeance.
Track listing
01. "Ram Jam City" - 2:48
02. "Odds and Ends" - 2:31
03. "Hot Summer Day" - 2:40
04. "Mary Jane" - 2:54
05. "Skip a Dee Doo" - 2:39
06. "Love Can Always Bring You Happiness" - 3:12
07. "Second Chapter" - 3:24
08. "Lovely Days" - 2:26
09. "Falling in Love With You" - 2:16
10. "Silver Streams" - 3:27
11. "Best Girl in the World" - 2:31
12. "Cascades" - 3:10
Credits
Danny Kirwan – guitars, vocals
Andy Silvester – bass guitar
Paul Raymond – piano
Geoff Britton – drums
Jim Russell – drums, percussion
Gerry Shury – string arrangements
Producer / Engineer – Martin Rushent
Notes
All songs written by Danny Kirwan
Genre: Folk Rock, Blues
Length: 31:58
Label: DJM Records
© 1975
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