Cathi's CD Reviews 9-13-09
Eberhardt, Cliff – “500 Miles” (Red House) B+Soulful Americana songwriter offers us a thoughtful and melancholic collection of tunes here about love and love lost…a little bit of mellow and bittersweet reflection on getting older—further down the road. Most tunes are minimally backed by instrumentation, showcasing his voice and the tunes as the main point. This is the second disc since a long recovery from a car accident and I suspect that adventure brewed up many of these offerings. The songs have a lot of “furniture” but I hope he takes some vitamins and cheers up soon. Good for morning mixes.
Hill Country Review – “Make a Move” (Razor & Tie) C
This is a band trying to do ZZ Top and Allman Brothers all at once. It’s okay, but not really recommended.
Li’il Mo (Monica Passin)– “On the Moon” (Cow Island Music) B
Rockabilly-ish gal with a big clear cowgirl voice – straight from New York (!). Nancy Sinatra channels BOb Wills and sneaks out at night with a Cajun boyfriend and his country sidekick. Steve Riley (Mamou Playboys) jumps in for a fiddle assist here, but lest she get caught in any genre, she throws in country, soul, pop and R & B. Somehow it works…well, maybe except for that terrible abortion of a pop song (#7). Kudos for cajones.
Wailin’ Jennys, The – “Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House” (Red House) A
Ah the power of vocals, beautiful and in stacks of harmonies – it’s hard to beat and the Wailin’ Jennys are experts. They add some interesting fiddle and mandolin work by friend Jeremy Penner that give the material an added weirdness that works (cut 1). This is a live show that features old favorites but also 8 new originals from this great Canadian group. The vocals, as always are breathtaking. Though the Jennys came together by accident, the magic was immediate and it remains despite two personnel changes. They’ve been careful to get talented vocalists who are masters of their range. We’re lucky – I’ll always want more! Good for all mixes.
Willis, Chick – “Hit & Run Blues” (CDS Entertainment) B
Cousin to the blues ballad singer CHUCK Willis, and former limo driver for same, Chick carried on after Chuck’s death in ’58 and is best known for his raunchy send ups in the blues line. Here he fronts a big band with horns and lots of arrangement, and keeps the raunchy down to tolerable. This is a show-band thing with so much attention on the big band it kinda covers what might otherwise be interesting guitar parts, and a warbly vocal. No big cigar but tolerable.
posted by Cathi N @ 1:19:00 PM
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