Zeitgeist Reviews -GOLDFRAPP, NORAH JONES, THE ZUTONS, IRON MAIDEN, JIMMIE DALE COURT, HONEYRIDERS!

CD OF THE WEEK

HONEYRIDERS - Colour

Rule number 1 in the big book of getting me to buy your CD, when I have no idea who ayou are. Put a picture of a very attractive young lady on the front. Sorted. At least that way, if it's pap, I've got a nice picture for the wall.

Not to be confused with the Australian 'The Honeyriders', HoneyRiders appear to be basically Helen J. Hicks, accompanied by a sympathetic band. She also read theology at Cambridge, which is another attractive feature. After all, I too was going to do that at Edinburgh University before life got in the way. She writes and performs all her own material, which draws inspiration from folk, country and bluegrass.

The lead track here is simple yet infectious, burrowing away inside, but the best song is "Strange Winds Blow", bleak and acoustic. If the Radio 2 mob who love David Gray and Eva Cassidy get behind this, it could go far. But it's much, much better than that. They should be touring come the summer, and should be worth checkin gout, if they can replicate their delightful sound live.

http://www.loudmouthmusic.com/honeyriders/

HONEYRIDERS

Honeyriders

GOLDFRAPP

NORAH JONES

THE ZUTONS

IRON MAIDEN

JIMMIE DALE COURT

GOLDFRAPP - Black Cherry

Title track and latest single from the album, this is a mournful ballad, strangely at odds with most of the other tracks on the album. However, it is powerful and Alison has never sounded better. If barren and bleak is your cup of tea, then this is for you.

New track "Gone To Earth" is, by comparison, a bit underwhelming.

NORAH JONES - Sunrise

"Sunrise" is firmly in the tradition of "Come Away with Me", warm and inviting, and I supect that's why it beens plucked from the new album. However, the bonus track "Moon song" is quite superb and strangely omitted from "Feels Like Home" is a heartfelt love song, and one of the finest tracks she has recorded yet. Underplayed, even by her standards, it's a gem.

THE ZUTONS - You Will You Won't

3rd single from Liverpools finest, the Zutons, and this should be the one to seem them troubling the chart compilers. Infuriatingly catchy, replete with Monkees verse, glam rock chorus, honking saxophone, a dose of the funk and a Rolling Stones guitar solo. What more could a poor boy want?

IRON MAIDEN - No More Lies

It's gratifying to see that Maiden have become the prog metal beast they always wanted to be. And if you're lucky enough to get a copy of this you'll know why.

The EP itself is a 4 track CD (there is a hidden track) with an enhanced video as well, packaged in a glossy card box, about the size of a double CD case. The reason for the large box is to contain your very own Iron Maiden sweatband! First up is "No More Lies" from the "Dance Of Death" album, and a behemothical epic it is too. You also get the video here as well.

Second number is "Paschendale (Orchestral Version)". There's a few more strings and horns in certain sections, and it's not too disimilar to the album version. Saving the best to (nearly last) is "Journeyman (Electric Version)". On "Dance Of Death" it was full on acoustic, and here the power chords lift a good song into a great one.

The hidden track (about five minutes after "Journeyman" is " Age Of Innocence...How Old". Unless you bought your copy from Amazon.com, in which case you knew all about it in advance. It's drummer Nicko doing his own, allegedly funny version of "Age Of Innocence", which is also on "Dance Of Death". In the time honored tradition of Maiden B sides, this is worth exactly one play.

Overall, a superb release, highlighting the return to glory for Iron Maiden.

JIMMIE DALE COURT and Jimmie’s Texas Blues

Jimmie Dale Court, grandson of Jimmie Rodgers, had developed his own approach to his famous grandfather’s songs up until his untimely death in 1996. He was also an accomplished songwriter in his own write, working in a similar idiom.

For those who don’t know Jimmie Rodgers, popularly called “the father of country music,” followed a meteoric path from poverty to fame to early death in a few short years. Combining blues, vaudeville, and Tin Pan Alley tunes with old-time mountain music, he brought ‘hillbilly’ music into the mainstream. His yodel influenced countless other performers, and his tragic early death from tuberculosis made him the prototype for the doomed country superstar.

Jimmie Dale Court had been criticized for playing Rodgers’ music with a more bluesy, rock ‘n’ roll feel, but said he felt this is in keeping with Rodgers’ own willingness to experiment with different styles. “I’ve got to go my own way.” And to be fair, his approach was not too dissimilar. However, he was a product of his time, and the rock’n’roll revolution that arrived 50 years ago, marked everyone one thereafter.

This 9 track CD contains some fine interpretations of “My Rough And Ready Ways” and “In The Jailhouse Now” amongst others, and a special mention goes to Jimmie Dale Courts own “The Lights Don’t Shine Forever”. Unappreciated while he was here, this is your chance to make some small amends.

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