Blue Rose Code - ‘With Healings Of The Deepest Kind’ (2020)

‘Blue Rose Code’ is Ross Wilson… born in Edinburgh, spent a long time living in London and I believe recently moved to Liverpool. 

‘With Healings Of The Deepest Kind’ his latest album, is his fifth and was released in July.  

This was recommended by a friend, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. We’ve all been to those gigs, or forced to listen to records or artists which/who friends claim to be amazing’ but ultimately you find it not to you personal taste and then wonder why these people are even your friends!

I should have more faith in some of my friends… 

‘Blue Rose Code’ or Ross, as hopefully he won’t mind me referring to him, thankfully doesn’t fall into that category. Within the first 3 tracks I was hooked and already searching Bandcamp and Apple Music (other music streaming services are available) to see what else I would be able listen to after working through the 9 tracks on this release

Ross is billed as ‘at the edge of contemporary alt-folk, Wilson's music evokes a meeting of Van Morrison and a young John Martyn’. There is no doubting his influences however my first thoughts listening reminded me of Deacon Blue, with the warm emotive tones of Ricky Ross backed by Lorraine McIntosh, of Orkney based folk artist Kris Drever and also English 

Troubadour Frank Turner in some of his more heartfelt moments

To be honest I feel a little late to the party, Ross’s music has already has received rave reviews over the years, as has ‘With Healings Of The Deepest Kind’ and quite rightly so. He’s appeared on Scotlands perennial music show ‘The Quay Sessions’ on a number of occasions (available to us South of the border on iPlayer) and has recorded sessions for BBC Radio 2

Since releasing his first single, ‘Love / Whitechapel’ in 2009, Ross has built a loyal fanbase, and in a similar way to fellow Scot, Gerry Cinnamon is fiercely independent, proudly not disguising his accent or heritage, choosing to release the album himself without the backing of a ‘label’

 

To be fair, if you’ve read this far then do yourself a favour and watch the short film released to accompany the album ‘This Time Around’ before you listen to ‘With Healings Of The Deepest Kind.’ 

Ross’s journey hasn’t been smooth over the last decade, anything but… and it's refreshing that in the film he talks openly about this. 

I guarantee after watching the film the collection of songs will have more resonance, especially when you realise each comes straight from the heart, every track has meaning and there isn’t a single lyric wasted… 

Musically, the production is exquisite throughout, whether on the slightly bluegrass, Ryan Adam’s feel of ‘Love A Little’ the uptempo, driving, 'LDN City Lights.’ There are some touches in songs that spring to mind as well, the subtle organ which begins the building ‘Bloom'; and

the rolling cymbals evoking images of the sea at the start of the reflective ‘Wide Atlantic Way’

My personal favourite track on the album is ‘Starlit’ in which Ross is accompanied by piano and strings and vocals which really take you on a journey as you feel the emotion pouring out of him… (to be fair that could be many of the tracks, but for me this was the one)

I can imagine ‘Healings Of The Deepest Kind’ as the perfect album for both lazy summer mornings and the cold, reflective winter evenings ahead

‘Blue Rose Code’or Ross Wilson may not be on your radar at the moment but should be

https://bluerosecode.bandcamp.com/album/with-healings-of-the-deepest-kind

Iain Key 2020