一聽音樂網

Ten years after its original release, Steve has re-recorded his first solo album in a more stripped back, acoustic style.

Leading on from his stunningly sparse solo album Cruel River (2007), Track of Words: Retraced revisits Knightley’s first recording of a decade ago and is undoubtedly his most emotionally literate collection of songs to date. It comprises 13 songs and a bonus track co-written with fellow Devon folk star Seth Lakeman - arresting, soul-searching numbers like "Rush of Blood", "Face in the Frame" and "Broken" as well as songs that have gone on to become Show of Hands standards, songs co-written with Matt Clifford who has played and produced with The Rolling Stones and a memorable duet with young singer songwriter Jenna.

Perhaps more than any other album, Track of Words: Retraced demonstrates the sheer diversity of Knightley’s finely-honed songwriting and cogent lyrics , stripping away the bigger production feel of the original album and investing in a more subtle, acoustic and occasionally retro style; adding new tempos, textures and unexpected instrumentation. Steve plays guitars, mandocello, cuatro, acoustic bass and harmonica while guest musicians include Jenna on piano and vocals, Phil Beer on guitar, fiddle and mandocello, Dave Wood on slide guitar and Jerri Hart who Knightley 'discovered' entertaining on the streets of his home town- an encounter which led to Hart contributing the stand-out trumpet riffs on several tracks