The credibility of the artist

Press, 21 December 1978, Page 15

The credibility of the artist

Entertainment scene

By NEVIN TOPP The Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) is not the only one who worries about credibility. For Alastair Riddell credibility is also a problem — as an artist. “The way my manager views it, I have to get my credibility up again,” says Riddell.

“I have been off the performing circuit for a long time. When people see me on the television screen they just go ‘hohum,’ and then the image disappears. But, playing live, people see you and, I hope, go out and buy albums.”

Riddell said that getting back into performing live was a daunting prospect. He has been on the road for the last three to four months breaking in a new band.

At the beginning there was very little capital, problems with transport, and huge outlays in equipment hire. But all these were coming right. “We should have the people coming back for more.”

The band plays 50 per cent original material, and the rest of the songs sit well alongside Riddell’s own material.

A big step forward has been the release of his first solo album, simply called “Riddell,” the first album he has featured on since the one he did with Space Waltz in January 1975.

“Riddell” features certain songs that have been released as singles — “Wonder Ones,” “What Good Does It Do Me,” and “Smile.” A fourth song ‘Through the Eyes of Love,” has received extensive airplay.

Four of the tracks were re-recorded because Riddell was unhappy with the initial recordings.

Riddell does not regard it as a weakness that the album was written, performed, and recorded over about a year, and is therefore a cross-section of what was happening during the period. “My next album will be in a shorter period of time — two months writing

and six-to-10 weeks recording.” he said. “It will have a more identifiable quality about it, more homogeneity,” he says.

For those who are interested, the Alastair Riddell Band will play at the Cave Rock Hotel tonight, tomorrow night, and Saturday.