Hot in the Pot

Description

Hot in the Pot is an album by the Canadian born, UK based singer and songwriter Barry Crompton, released in the UK on Marshalls in 1981. As well distributed in the US and Canada by Pilgrim America, a division of the New Benson Company. The album was recorded by Andy Kidd at The Old Smithy Recording Studio in Worcestershire and by Dave Aston at ICC Studios in Eastbourne, England; with John Pantry producing. Mixed at at ICC Studios. All songs written by Barry Crompton.

Featuring an ace studio band consisting of John Pantry on keyboards, Mo Witham on guitar with Bryn Haworth sitting in on slide guitar, and a rhythm section consisting of bassist Dave Bronze and drummer Barry De Souza. Backing vocals provided by Annie McCaig and Mo McCafferty of Nutshell fame.

This Canadian singer/songwriter established himself as a popular acoustic guitar solo artist here in the UK, often as an opening act for more popular artists. This 1981 album was released by the newly formed Marshalls label and included contributions from some top session players including some great guitar work from Bryn Haworth. The whole thing was helmed by John Pantry with some nice musical flourishes keeping things interesting. The opening cut «Resting In Your Love» is musically cut from the same cloth as Haworth’s «We’re All One». Other highlights include the swampier «You Don’t Get Me» and the title track which has a strong groove and some great punchy horns. There are moments when it feels like the spirit of ’70s Cliff Richard lives on in these tracks like on the upbeat «His Love Is Real», «Roll With The Flow» and the poppy «Foolish Children». The absolute standout track is the closer «Some Kind Of Madness» with its very clever lyrics and catchy chorus. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, October 2016]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Resting in Your Love” – 3:01
A2. “You Don’t Get Me” – 4:45
A3. “Foolish Children” – 4:05
A4. “Sidestreets” – 3:22
A5. “Hot in the Pot” – 3:23

Side Two
B1. “His Love is Real” – 3:15
B2. “Roll with the Fow” – 4:46
B3. “Turn to Dust” – 2:42
B4. “Godly Man” – 4:38
B5. “Some Kind of Madness” – 4:45

CREDITS. Produced by John Pantry. Recorded at The Old Smithy Recording Studio in Worcestershire and at ICC Studios in Eastbourne. Mixed at ICC Studios. Engineered by Andy Kidd (in the country) and Dave Aston (at the seaside). Sleeve Design by Wagstaff Design Associates. Little Boy: Giles. All songs written by Barry Crompton. Pilgrim Records, Marshall Morgan and Scott. “This life’s dim window of the soul/ Distorts the heavens from pole to pole/ And leads you to believe a lie/ When you see with, not through the eye.” Blake (1757-1827)

Musicians: Barry Crompton (Vocals, Guitar), John Pantry (Keyboards), Ray Weirstein (Saxophone, Piccolo Flute), Enrico Tomasso (Trumpet, Flugelhorn), Mo Witham (Guitar), Bryn Haworth (Slide Guitar), Dave Bronze (Bass), Barry De Souza (Drums), Ronnie Goodman (Percussion). Backing Vocals: Annie McCaig, Mo McCafferty.