RECORD COLLECTOR DVD REVIEWS JULY 2004

GUITAR GEORGE BOROWSKI
“CHECK OUT GUITAR GEORGE “

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Ozit Morpheus OZIT CD219 (53:52)

Self-assured song-writing from the unsung power-pop veteran

Sounding gorgeously worn-in, ‘Guitar’ George’s voice carries the baggage, the stamina and the fags of a man who has dragged his guitar round the world a few times at least, in the name of pop-rock. Since the implosion of his critically-acclaimed almost- punk band, The Out, in the late 70s, Borowski has been busy working with an unlikely list of rock royalty including The Pixies, Lemmy and Meatloaf. Most evidently he’s had a long, and on the evidence of this album, very fruitful association with Teenage Fanclub, whose sunny west-coast vibe pervades the more mellow tracks here, especially the harmonies on Say your Prayers and This is Not Love.
Adding another layer to his eclectic work history, ‘Guitar George’ comes from a name-check in Dire Straits Sultans of Swing. The power-pop compliment is returned here, especially on True Individual and the organ heavy Eiffel Tower. The more stripped-down tracks come off the best though, the stand-out She Finds Me and Fallen For You Dancer are nostalgic working-class ballads fit to make Noel Gallagher cry. Beautifully crafted stuff. Kate Lawson.