Second album from acclaimed songwriter.
Laidback, earthy and grounded, Grant’s soulful acoustic rock arrives fully-formed, mature and ready for anyone looking for a UK version of Jack Johnson in time for when Winter turns to Spring. Completed by the sublime double bass of Simon Rushbrook and percussive excellence of Lee Miller, the Trio is additionally supported here by the fabulous hammond organ of Tom Hughes. Thoughts of a relaxed John Martyn meeting Dave Matthews in a basement bar come to mind as Miss Particular opens proceedings in a discriminating and understated fashion, Bogeyman train-shuffles its way into your consciousness and the solo blues of Lost My Cool offers a different strain of Grant’s approach. Great stuff.

Keith Ames
Musician Magazine

This new album marks a radical departure from the lush and lavishly layered sound-scapes of previous albums. Andy Grant (guitars), Simon Rushbrook (double bass) and Lee Miller (drums) deliver a raw, un-faked sound, as if only a microphone stood between the musicians and their audience. Track 1 –Miss Particular– gets a great addition in the form of Thomas Hughes’ keyboard.
Light, clean, you will find Champagne on Beer Budget difficult to pin down and label. As if Grant opened the windows and let the fresh air in, a kind of spring clean if you will, no need for expensive studios, no need to hide behind technology and sound manipulation, just acoustic, pure acoustic in fact. Gone are the delay and loops pedals or other gizmos, what you hear is what IS. No more, no less. Folky at times, with hints of the blues and, even the slightest nuance of Flamenco make this recording very fresh, and their best album to-date.
The rawness is here to stay, an honest decision defying the trend to embellish everything, it is about accepting rather than pretending, all-in-all more than you bargained for.

Didier Sajno
Whassupdorch.co.uk