I doubt that anyone would call “My Lucky Charm” by Andrew J Newall a concept album yet, in its own sentimental way, the reflections of times past contained in the songs do have a consistent and common theme.
Andrew J Newall is a storyteller. Of that there is no doubt and these sixteen songs (and an introduction) tell the story of a family on its journey from yesterday to today. Since it is his own family, sentiment is much to the fore but he remains clear of looking at all that was with rose tinted glasses. All families have stories after all and that, perhaps, is the important thing to remember here. Not all stories have happy endings, or even happy second or sixth chapters, and the bad is never very far away from the company of the good. It is therefore to Mr Newall’s credit that he remembers to retain truth in his lyrics.
“My Lucky Charm” is an unusual album for me review. Not because it is obscure or excessively arty in its presentation nor because, as a soundtrack to his own memories, it isn’t targeted at the mainstream audience but because it feels authentic in a time when reality can be both rented by the month and cancelled anytime.