Although he’s regularly performed it live, hearing the studio version of Glen Matlock’s take on Scott Walker’s “Montague Terrace (in Blue)” is a jolt. Back in September 1967, when Matlock was 11 years old, the song was first heard on Walker’s debut solo album. Now, this elegy to a pair of cocooned lovers appears on Matlock’s solo album Good To Go as a straight yet rock-infused reconfiguration. It’s impossible not to wonder whether Matlock had Richard Hawley in mind when he set out to capture his own interpretation on tape.
Glen Matlock will always be defined by his less-than two-year tenure in the Sex Pistols, Surprisingly, Good To Go is only his second solo album and follows on from 1996’s Who's he Think he is When he's at Home? He hasn’t been inactive: as well as unaccompanied shows, he’s been playing alongside Blondie drummer Clem Burke in The International Swingers, whose last album was issued in 2015.
Setting “Montague Terrace (in Blue)” aside, the credits of Good To Go imply what might be expected. The presence of Slim Jim Phantom on drums give “Sexy Beast” and the snappy “Chill” a rockabilly swing. Chris Spedding, Earl Slick and former Sigue Sigue Sputnik man Neal X on guitars bring a rock ‘n’ roll edge. Matlock himself doesn’t play bass but contributes smatterings of acoustic guitar. While most tracks are forward-moving rockers nodding to the Faces and Johnny Thunders, the arrangement and castanets on “Speak To Soon” suggest Phil Spector, and the acoustic-centred “Piece Of Work” evinces a George Harrison sensibility. “Hook In You” nods to “I Put a Spell on You”
Good To Go’s orderly, too-hygenic production focuses on cleanly highlighting each instrument and Matlock’ voice. A dirtier, muzzier feel would have given the album heft. Perhaps, if he’s contemplating taking the album on the road, Matlock can give these songs an added get-up-and-go.
