Peter Bruntnell - Houdini and the Sucker Punch (2024)

In an uncertain number of years time, it will be acceptably cool to say that you first got into non-Grammy-winning artist Peter Bruntnell through his classic 2024 album 'Houdini And The Sucker Punch', before then going back and discovering his back catalogue of yet more classics. And you were there! You saw him live. You were one of those 10 people who saw him play in that modestly-sized room, almost 30 years into his career. So here we are again. Three years on, another album into Peter's 13 or 14 album catalogue and shouldering the burden of even more sublime reviews. Every possible positive adjective has been called into play, although it must be noted that the word 'sublime' can never be used enough. Not even 2021's primarily solo, slightly synthy lockdown album succeeded in putting an end to his non-success, despite Mojo echoing the plea that, 'Somehow, some way, this cult and infinitely class songwriter must get his due wider recognition'. The Scottish Daily Express with its 5 star review, slightly frustrated, said, or perhaps yelled, 'I’m getting tired of saying this: He’s brilliant'. The Irish Times thoughtfully combined two quotes into one, saving us the trouble of going back and getting crushed under the sheer weight of Peter's archive of press quotes: 'With 'Journey To The Sun', the man whose songs NME once noted should be placed on school curriculums has done it again.' 'Houdini And The Sucker Punch' sees Peter re-employing his long-term band members Mick Clews (drums), Dave Little (electric guitar) and Peter Noone (bass), along with a number of his favourite musicians. Cameos include pedal steel virtuoso Eric Heywood adding magic to 'Houdini', 'The Flying Monk' and 'Stamps Of The World', Son Volt / Uncle Tupelo's Jay Farrar playing piano on 'Sharks', Peter's old partner in crime (we suspect quite literally), James Walbourne of The Pretenders tearing up 'Yellow Gold', cellist Laura Anstee on 'Sharks' and 'Jimmy Mac', Son Volt's Mark Spencer's Hammond organ and piano on 'Let There Be A Scar' and mastering man Peter Linnane touching up the album with some added Hammond organ and synth.