Filling In The Gaps
Howard's recording career resurged in 2003 following the reissue of his 1975 debut Kid In A Big World. Many believed he had recorded in the '70s then disappeared. In fact he had a recording career of sorts in the '80s and '90s. Howard worked with Steve Levine (Culture Club), Nicky Graham (Bros) and released a batch of singles on indie labels. Along with rare recordings which have never seen the light of day before this could have ended up as an ill-fitting hotch potch of styles and sounds, but there is a cohesivity here. Some of Howard's fans may find the occasional synth/drum machine backings a tad annoying and out of kilter with the artist they know but the power-pop of Call On You and It's You I want (featuring The Jags' John Alder on guitar) plus the beautiful Blue Days and sumptuous harmonies on Nothing More To Say (Howard's last vinyl single release in 1984) are proof that even in fits and starts this artist can come up with the goods.
