Reviews roundup – Mama Kin vs. Judy Collins vs. Eli Cook vs. Eric Johnson

Reviews roundup – Mama Kin vs. Judy Collins vs. Eli Cook vs. Eric Johnson

MAMA KIN
The Magician’s Daughter
Starhouse

 

We’re off to the mythical kingdom of Australia today to listen to the second album from Mama Kin (probably not her real name).

Now I don’t remember the first one, but this is really rather good. It’s one of those albums that’s a bit over the place, but as she mixes up jazz pop, world music, chanteuse and out and out pop, it makes for a beguiling mix.

But it’s when she goes a bit sixties and girl pop that it really takes off with ‘Rescue’ an absolute highlight. For sure, sometimes it feels wilfully artful, but the more offbeat moments such as ‘Red Wood River’ and ‘The Fire’ don’t lack in charm.

However, there’s a big hit in here, just waiting for its moment in the sun.

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JUDY COLLINS
Live In Ireland
Wildflower

 

I did not know that Judy Collins was Irish. However, I stand corrected as she was recently inducted into the Irish America Hall Of Fame. But then with a name like Collins, it couldn’t be anything else. In fact we’re probably related, what with me auld Irish 2 times great grandmother being auld Mary Collins fae Donegal.

Anyway, this show was filmed and recorded at Dromoland Castle for PBS television over in the American colonies, so it certainly sounds good (as I’ve got the CD, not the DVD), and it sees a fair selection of weel kent Collins tunes, along with some traditional Irish songs, and some special guests including Mary Black.

Things kick off with ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’, and soon we’re off on a very enjoyable trip through the likes of ‘New Moon Over The Hudson’, ‘She Moved Through The Fair’ with Mary Black, ‘Innisfree’ and ‘Danny Boy’.

Ms Collins is still in fine voice, and with an excellent set of musicians, incorporating the likes of penny whistle player, a violin section, and bagpipes, it’s a very enjoyable release indeed.

A word of warning, though, for DVD buyers. There seems to be a faulty batch at Amazon, so make sure you try it out quickly.

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DVD – BUY AT AMAZON

 

ELI COOK
Primitive Son
Cleopatra

 

He still seems like a young buck, but this is what, album number five from Eli Cook? So if blues rock is your thing, you’ve really no excuse for not having made his acquaintance.

He is most definitely on the rock side, though, as his white boys blues riffs it up big time. And to that end, he has some guests including Dio / Black Sabbath drummer, Vinny Appice and one time Lynyrd Skynyrd tup thumper Artimus Pyle on a couple of tunes.

Elsewhere, the likes of Pat Travers, Leslie West, Eric Gales and Sonny Landreth join in the fun, but it never takes away from the Eli Cook show, which shows that he’s developing as a singer, as well as a guitarist and songwriter. The likes of the Pantera tribute (!) ‘The Great Southern Love Kill’, and ‘War Horse’ could come from the Zakk Wylde catalogue, while ‘Tall & Twisted’ and ‘Won’t Be Long’ will keep the blues fans happy.

It’s a treat from start to finish, and comes highly recommended for those who like their rock to be tinged blue.

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ERIC JOHNSON
Europe Live
Provogue

 

Well it’s not his first live album, but on June 23, 2014 Provogue will be releasing his best yet, “Europe Live” on CD and, for the techies out there, 180 gram vinyl.

This was recorded, natch on his last European tour, with the majority of the album recorded at Amsterdam’s Melkweg along with some tunes from shows in Germany at Die Kantine in Köln and Bochum Zeche and the Paris show at New Morning. It certainly captures Mr Johnson and his brand of blues, rock and jazz in fine form.

Of course that is a curse, as well as a blessing, as he skips genre in willy nilly fashion, but it actually works better in a live format, than it does on record. It gives you the opportunity to fell his tone as it is, rather than through a studio, and it’s a treat for guitar buffs.

Unlike some, he rarely shows off, even though he’s more than capable of doing do, and when he hits a peak as he does on the big hit ‘Cliffs Of Dover’ and his version of the John Coltrane number, ‘Mr. P.C.’ from “Giant Steps”, then it’s a righteous noise.

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