Made In Sheffield

Being a Canadian, what would I know about Tony Christie? Not a hell of a lot, other then Peter Kay used his version of ‘Is This The Way To Amarillo’ in Phoenix Nights. Reviewing Made In Sheffield seemed potentially a daunting task – until I realised that the man who inspired the sound and concept of this album is none other than Richard Hawley, whose ‘Cole’s Corner’ prompted Christie to tell his son and manager, “That’s the sort of production I should get.” The remit expanded, resulting in an album made up solely of songs connected to Sheffield singers and songwriters. Hence, Christie’s steady and solid vocals gracing tunes by Arctic Monkeys’ frontman Alex Turner, Richard Hawley, Jarvis Cocker, Phil Oakey, and a man Christie is tipping for great things, Martin Bragger. The production is stunning: you imagine it could have been recorded in a time when everyone wore tailored suits and coiffed hair. Hawley’s influence is dominant (a good thing), and at times Christie evokes the sublime pop operatics of Roy Orbison, especially on a track he penned himself called ‘Going Home Tomorrow’. A beautiful record.

Key track: ‘Born to Cry’