Reviews

Weekly Reviews For 25 December, 2006

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I am Managing Editor at Metal4Life

I also contribute reviews to getreadytorock

I am also featured reviewer at spacerock.co.uk

I was Editor & reviewer at MetalUK.

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Skafish - Tidings Of Comfort And Joy

Subtitled 'A Jazz Piano Trio Christmas', there isn't a lot more to add, save the fact that's 200 words or bust as far as the boss is concerned. And thats me, so I know what a shit I can be.

This Skafish fella sounds like an interesting cove, especially as he appears to be the sole originator of Chicago's punk, new wave, alternative and indie rock movements. Which means, if his press is to be believed, that he has a lot to be ashamed about.

And it also mean a Christmas album of traditional music done jazz stylee is all the odder. Sometimes it sounds like he's a single digit man, then a sparkling run takes you completely by surprise.

His cohorts, Lawrence Kohut and Tom Hipskind on bass and drums respectively, are no slouches, and when they hit a swinging groove, as exemplified on 'Hark The Herald Angels Sing', then it's no mere diversion.

Lynn Olagundoye - Africa Violet


I'll get it over and done with nice and early - India Arie. There now, I can get on with praising this album to the skies without that spectre looming over me.

For this is truly one of the treats of the year. Everything you wanted from an r'n'b / soul album but were afraid to ask for.

Some fantastic songs - 'Beautiful' and 'Sunkissed' being the pick of the bunch for me, an exceptional band in the shape of fellow Canadians, Guerilla Funk Monster, and draped over the top, the marvellously expressive voice of Lynn Olagundoye.

One of those rare, unexpected treats that reminds you that music can, and should be, life affirming.

Jr. Boy - Live

Blimey, I did not know that still made records as downright hot and nasty as this one anymore. But here's Andrew "Jr Boy" Jones and his red hot band of Texan blues bandidos to, happily, prove me wrong.

Recorded one hot summers night at the Deep Ellum Blues club in Dallas, Texas, this is a throwback to when virtually all blues songs were about sex and you could happily tell tales of a woman whose wiggle was so pronounced it made you "seasick on dry land". That would be a quote from 'She's Fine', that would!

It's not all frenetic tales of fast love as the odd slow blues comes creeping in, but half way through 'Lost Love Blues' you're smacking your lips, in righteous anticipation, for the impending 'Blues Belly, a song those of us on the larger side will empathise with.

Jr. Boy wrote all the songs bar a slightly out of place instrumental version of 'Georgia On My Mind'. And what with him producing, singing and playing the guitar, he's a very clever Jr. Boy.

He's also got a cracking band with the keyboards of Shawn Pares worthy of special mention. Bar couple of unfortunate fades, this is ths sound of the best night out I didn't have this year.

Johnny K - Beautiful

A stripped down, acoustic jazz album, containing a number of classics can go horribly, horribly wrong.

Luckily for all concerned, they've ended up in a deft pair of hands here. Mr K has surrounded himself with some top notch musicians, with a special round of applause going to guitarist John Chiodini.

The original material is good, but suffers from being placed next to songs like 'All Of Me', 'I'm In The Mood For Love' and 'Besame Mucho'. Johnny has clear, well pitched voice, although I'd like to hear a tad more attack. However, a top quality introduction.

Jen Elliott & Bluestruck - 8 Days Down

Jen Elliott is one of those singers likely to polarise opinions, due to her distinctive alto vocals. Some will take to a unique instrument, some will reference a bellowing ox. Musically, the references to Bonnie Raitt aren't that far off the mark as the band work up a late night, soulful blues rock sound.

I fall into the former category,although sometimes you can detect difficulties when it comes to exercising restraint on the less strident numbers. The exception to that rule is 'Full', a bittersweet tale of hope

The best is saved for last when a boogie riff and a slide guitar announces the arrival of 'Crazy', a deceptively sprightly tune masking some deep seated fears.

A word of praise for Anne Husick, guitarist and co-writer of most of the material, who turns in an excellent shift.

Delta Wires - Them That's Got


The Delta Wires, under the auspices of band leader, harmonica player and lead vocalist Ernie Pinata, have been blowing up a storm in Oakland, California for 35 years now!.

And if the good time blues 'n' soul revue vibe they whip up on CD magnifies on stage, then it's little wonder that they've survived so long.

And whip it up they do on a nice mix of originals and covers, with the fine harmonica work augmented by a three piece horn section and some sparkling guitar work from Richard Healey.

The highlights, however, are both covers. A dynamic run through T-Bone Walkers 'T-Bone Shuffle' and a surprising yet low down and nasty stab at Tony McPhees 'Devil Got My Woman', complete with blistering guitar solo.

Dave Lennox - Lufthalle

Dave Lennox is a classically trained keyboard player with a wealth of jazz and rock experience, having worked with Dee Dee Bridgewater, Herbie Hancock, Ginger Baker and Blodwyn Pig amongst others. We won't mention Alvin Stardust, but now he has his own 100 percent solo album to do.

And it is all his own work as he writes, performs and produces the whole shebang. The shebang in question turns out to be seventies instrumental jazz fusion, something I'm rather partial to. At it's best it conjures up the Jan Hammer Group, especially on my favourite, 'Clear Air Turbulence' (no relation).

Sometimes the programmed percussion irritates, as it is one of my pet peeves, but you have to admire someone who can envision the 21 minute title track, and bring its progressive delights to fruition.