Album Review: Tim Burgess & Peter Gordon, Same Language, Different Worlds

The Charlatans frontman is a fantastic example of someone who doesn’t sit on his ‘90s laurels. Burgess always seems to be in the middle of several exciting projects. In recent years, he has written two books, the second one ingeniously titled Tim Book Two. That tome revealed exactly what the Charlatans meant when they went for “a Manhattan power doughnut”.

Burgess has also just done a DJ mix album, brought out his own range of Tim Peaks coffee, and is a regular on BBC 6 Music.

Peter Gordon of Arthur Russell and The Love of Life Orchestra met him in New York in 2012 and they started to collaborate. Same Language, Different Worlds reveals the fruits of their labours, ably assisted by Ernie Brooks, who played with Arthur Russell on the first Modern Lovers album, congo player Mustafa Ahmed, and Nik Void from Factory Floor.

While it is a world away from the sunny swagger of the Charlatans, or Burgess’ collaborative Christmas song with Saint Etienne, Same Language, Different Worlds is a laid back but sparkling record, forming a intriguing new chapter in the careers of both these wonderful musicians.