A longtime musician, producer, songwriter and recently business book author who ascended fame as the musical partner of Annie Lennox in The Eurythmics, David Stewart’s versatility is undeniable. On The Blackbird Diaries (Razor On & Tie/Surfdog), Stewart lets his inner country bluesman out to play with some collaborative songwriting courtesy of Bob Dylan. “I Miss You,” cowritten with Dylan back in the 80s and originally titled “Worth Waiting For” – Stewart and Dylan have worked together before – is a leisurely, casual wail for a lover to return. I guess they weren’t that heartbroken. One line in “I Miss You” (wonder if it was Dylan’s line, Stewart’s or both?) captures it all: “We didn’t go out looking for it baby/ We were the scene.”

Steward also clearly enjoys collaborating with beautiful and talented women (and who could blame him?). His growlly, smocky vocals go to work on “The Gypsy Girl & Me” where he’s joined by Joss Stone in a sexy storytelling kiss-and-tell fest set against a European backdrop. “All Messed Up” brings in country star Martina McBride for a country-pop pulser about a failed love relationship where both parties want to reconcile but don’t know how to let each other know. On “Bulletproof Vest” he and Indie singer Colbie Caillat get schmaltzy but somehow not clichéd on how fearful so many people are of letting their guard down romantically and getting hurt. Much of Dave Stewart’s phrasings and arrangements summon Leonard Cohen’s work to mind all the way down to the soft ethereal backing harmonies of female singers providing supernatural vocals. This haunting approach is especially prominent on “One Way Ticket To The Moon,” which features The Secret Sisters. Along with his many other irons in the fire, including co-producing Stevie Nicks’ latest album (In Your Dreams), he also treats us to a duet with her on the track “Cheaper Than Free.”

Have a listen! It’s not channeling 80s synthpop at all, I swear!

Dave Stewart – Magic In The Blues by grahamangus