Marcus Foster at the Portland Arms Cambridge

Marcus Foster now has his début album out "Nameless Path" and is playing the Portland Arms in Cambridge on Tuesday 22nd I guess to help promote the album. This nameless path that he is on isn't perhaps as nameless as you might think. Is influences are clear to see, Neil Young, Van Morrison and Tom Waits, but that doesn't mean that it isn't worth walking with Marcus Foster down this track.

"I was particularly obsessed with Tom Waits," Marcus recounts. "Not only did I love his voice, but also how he wrote his songs. They had such depth, so many layers, and were filled with the most amazing characters. He completely influenced the way I set about writing my own songs."

So as you would expect this isn't slick, polished and over-produced folk-rock music, with Marcus you get his rasping vocals right from the opening track "Old Birch Tree" 'til the end and a recorded sound that has a good organic sound to it, as if the band members were in the same room when it was recorded. Pretty rare these days.

"Rushes and Reeds" and "I was Broken" are for me the stand out tracks on this album and the final track "Memory of your Arms" is great emotional ride to finish. Disappointed that there was no place on the album for "Tumble Down" which a s favourite of mine, so I hope we get to hear it played live at the Portland Arms. There is an impressive spread of flavour, character and tone to Nameless Path.

I am looking forward seeing Marcus perform these tracks live in the intimate venue that is our Portland Arms. His voice should rip the paint of the wall with it's abrasive nature.

Tickets are £8.00 in advance and you can get them from Buy Tickets: WeGotTickets or The Junction on 01223 511511