John Lawton and Diana Express: The Power of Mind

Before John Lawton and Bulgarian band Diana Express released The Power Of Mind together, the album had already been recorded and released in Bulgaria, completely sung in Bulgarian. The album, having been written by a Dr. Milen Vrabevski, had been a psychological experiment on positive thinking and performed with that in mind. Through a mutual contact Vrabevski and Lawton became acquainted and the idea for Lawton to remake the album in English began.

To be honest none of this information was apparent to me as I gave the album a few spins. I put on my critiquing ear and listened to the music, the vocal performance, the lyrics. Later when began researching the album I found out that Lawton merely sang on the album, giving it his own personal bluesy touch. Still, as I spun it again I couldn’t help but go back to the fact that, while conceptually the album is interesting, the album fell flat for me. I just couldn’t get into the whole 80’s rock feel with a blues tinge.

Lawton’s experienced voice brings an endless range to the album that I can appreciate, but Diana Express, try as they might, sound very dated, in turn trapping Lawton’s efforts in a cocoon of nostalgic misfortune. No doubt fans of Lawton himself will probably have no problem with the way the album sounds. Lawton has been around for a very long time, but for someone of my age group the music just doesn’t connect. Sad really because Lawton’s performances are so heartfelt, giving Vrabevski’s words meaning. To each their own I guess. So give the official site link a click and check out some of the youtube video’s from the album and see if you like it. Enjoy.

CD Images

Cover: 

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Pictures: 

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