Steve Knightley - Cruel River (2007)

Cruel River is the second solo studio album by English folk singer-songwriter Steve Knightley. Knightley had spent 2006 with Show of Hands, his duo with Phil Beer, recording, releasing and promoting their twelfth album together, Witness, which saw the duo explore a worldbeat sound that departed from their usual English folk sound. The album was a success with critics and most fans, although some were perplexed by its direction. During a break in promoting that album with touring in early 2007, Knightley decided to record his first solo album since 1999. Hiring regular Show of Hands collaborator Mark Tucker to co-produce the album with himself, Knightley recorded the album in Presshouse Studios, Colyton in February 2007. The album explores a stripped-back, minimal English folk sound, similar to that of early Show of Hands. Lyrically, the album tackles dark subject matter.

Released on 4 June 2007 by Show of Hands' own label Hands on Music, the album was a critical success, with one review declaring it "another reminder of his song-writing skills and his fine, distinctive vocals." Knightley would soon return to Show of Hands but ultimately recorded another solo album, Track of Words – Retraced, in 2009. The Show of Hands website considers Cruel River to be "understated yet powerful"