JOHN MOORE

Bon viveur, wit, painter and writer of note, Moore is also a saw-playing ventriloquist and first person to import absinthe to the UK.

Having served time in The Jesus and Mary Chain and Black Box Recorder, he now crafts intoxicating tunes on this keenly conceived collection of droll, warm and affecting love songs.

Pals including Boz Boorer, Luke Haines and opera-inclined Louise Kleboe add radiance and variety to Anne Of A Thousand Days and Philosophical Man. Sharp but sweet, goes down a treat.