Reviews roundup – Jo Burt vs. Peaches & Crime vs. AC Myles vs. Marbin vs. Genesis

Reviews roundup – Jo Burt vs. Peaches & Crime vs. AC Myles vs. Marbin vs. Genesis

JO BURT
Indestructible
independent

Never heard of him.  But Mr Burt has been musically active for many a decade now, having done time with the Troggs and the Tom Robinson Band, as well as an array of session and live work with the likes of The Sweet, Freddie Mercury and Black Sabbath, although the last few years have seem him concentrate on his band, The Jo Burt Experience.

And here he is with a rather good CD under his own name.  He calls it “Anglicana“, which he reckons mixes up rock, with a southern-style, country influences and a Beatle-esque twist. And he’s not far off the mark.  It’s a very enjoyable set of songs, especially if you want to hear a downhome version of a Black Sabbath classic, but it’s his own songs that are the winners, aided by an excellent production from Chris Kimsey.

I’ve got a good few favourites with the Andy Fairweather Low assisted title track top of the list, followed by ‘Tourniquet’ and ‘Take Me to Heaven’, but there are no real clunkers on a thoroughly enjoyable release.

PEACHES AND CRIME
Do Bad Things
independent

Well, this was an interesting one.  It’s almost a concept album, with linked songs and spoke word parts from a band who think that what the world needs is a mashup of blues, jazz, klezmer and polka.  And why not.

It’s certainly all over the place, and probably all the better for it, as they embark on a set of very dark, sometimes black, songs which look to the wicked side of life.  There’s a prison work song called ‘Death Row Swing’, another one about an Eastern European enforced called ‘Herschel Ganev‘, as well as some tales of murder and mayhem.

It’s like an olde worlde vaudeville show, but one set in the midnight hour.  A music hall act for the absinthe crowd, this is an absolute delight for the strong of stomach.

AC MYLES
Reconsider Me
independent

Mr Myles has got the blues, as he looks back at the music that shaped him, in fine fettle.  He’s a great singer, as one listen to the Fenton Robinson tune ‘You Don’t Know What Love Is’ will attest.

He’s been touring for a long time now, having worked with the likes of Fillmore Slim and John Nemeth, but standing on his own two feet is where he belongs.  This is chock full of fantastically performed gems such as Elvin Bishop’s ‘Rock My Soul’ and the Fats Domino classic ‘Blue Monday’.  His own material such as ‘Death Bed Blues’, stands up well, and with a band comprising Derrick ‘D’Mar Martin on drums, Endre Tarczy on bass and keys, Kid Andersen on rhythm guitar and keys, Nate Ginsberg on piano and keys and Lisa Andersen on backing vocals, it’s a treat from top to bottom.

For fans of seventies blues rock, this is nigh on essential.

MARBIN
Third Set
Moonjune

Blimey!  Talk about showing off your chops.  This is one if you like your jazz, hard, fast and rocking like a bastard.  Marbin are a quartet fronted by saxophonist Danny Markovitch and guitarist Dani Rabin, hence the name, and they really do like to aim for the jugular.

They’ve got a great rhythm section in the shape of Justyn Lawrence on drums and Jae Gentile on bass, and with their underpinning, Markovitch and Rabin have plenty of room to head off into a world of solos and riffs, secure in the knowledge that they won’t fall back to Earth.

They do calm down a tad on the likes of ‘Crystal Bells’, but it’s when they blast through the likes of ‘Special Olympics’ that the world becomes a better place.

GENESIS
Sum Of The Parts
Eagle Rock

Well now, this is an interesting one.  And by interesting, I mean something that caused a series of strokes amongst Genesis fans of my acquaintance after it was broadcast by the BBC.

It was hard to tell whether it was the lack of Steve Hackett or the preponderance of ludicrous talking heads, who seemed to only be vaguely aware of Genesis as the Phil Collins Band (hello, Kate Mossman and Angie Greaves – who?).

I quite enjoyed Tony Banks doing a fine impersonation of a grumpy old git, but when basic factual errors crop up, then even I had a bit of a hissy fit.  If this hadn’t been broadcast then I’m sure it would have been a big seller, but I doubt even Genesis completists will welcome this into their arms.