Adam Faith - I Survive

Former teen idol’s thenoverlooked stab at maturity

After enjoying success as an actor in the title role of the Budgie TV series, the Adam Faith who re-emerged into the musical arena in 1974 was a far cry from the hiccup-voiced pop idol who wowed teenage girls in pre-Beatles Britain. Faith recorded his comeback album after a near-fatal 1973 car crash but, perhaps inexplicably, it was the least commercially successful product of a bizarre creative triangle which also included Roger Daltrey, songwriter David Courtney (whose own retrospective provides a companion release to this set) and the newly-discovered Leo Sayer.

With Courtney supplying music and Faith writing lyrics, the resulting album fit snugly into the period’s penchant for introspective balladeering. It was also blessed with a lush pop sensibility which echoed artists of the day, such as Cockney Rebel on lead single I Survived (inspired by the crash) and Mott on reflective outings the likes of Honey. Some of Faith’s star mates guest, including Paul and Linda McCartney, Richie Blackmore and Russ Ballard, though Bowie was too busy to contribute sax. Faith would go on to more business-related activities before dying of a heart attack in 2003 but, on this evidence, his foray into serious songwriting should have been taken more seriously back then.

3 stars 3 stars 3 stars

Angel Air | SJPCD 314

Reviewed by Kris Needs
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