Breakaway

This album was engineered by Geoff Emerick, known for his work with the later Beatles. Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle had also contributed to Ronnie Lane’s first solo album Anymore for Anymore in 1974, so fans of that period may already have known them. The music here sits somewhere between the late Beatles and 1970s Ronnie Lane: mellow, relaxed and strongly shaped by traditional music.

The Scottish duo had been songwriters for the Beatles’ Apple label, a connection that may explain Emerick’s involvement. The year before, the title song had already appeared as the title track of Art Garfunkel’s album. This was their fifth album as a duo. There were no huge hits, but the music is gentle and full of song. Perhaps a sound that was neither progressive rock nor solo singer-songwriter music was hard to place at the time. Still, these are heartfelt songs. If only the sleeve had been a little more stylish…