Reviews roundup – The Coasters vs. Hannah Robinson vs Billy Cobham vs Greg Nagy vs. Toots Lorraine
THE COASTERS
Magical Favourites
Stardust
When are the Coasters not the Coasters. Well, when they’re the Coasters. See, the Coasters are all dead (probably), but that hasn’t stopped them releasing their first studio album in 35 years. The current line-up of Joe Lance Williams, Primo Candelara, Dennis Anderson and Eddie Whitfield have been performing together for the last five years with Williams holding the longest tenure in the band (15 years).
But, history aside, the Coasters have always been about harmonies and the current line-up can still pull it off. This record sees them covering songs made famous by Sam Cooke, The Temptations, Elvis Presley and even The Eagles, so there is no shortage of good material. And even if the opening cut of ‘All I Have to Do Is Dream’ is the poorest of the offerings, they make up for it from then on in.
It’s delightfully old-fashioned and well out of kilter, which makes it all the better as they croon and harmonise their way through the likes of ‘Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)’, ‘Bad, Bad Leroy Brown’, ‘Lyin’ Eyes’ and ‘You Send Me’. An unexpected treat.
HANNAH ROBINSON
Water, Carry Me
independent
I really enjoyed “Oil & Turpentine”, the 2012 debut from Hannah Robinson (no relation and not the Saturdays / Lana Del Rey writer), so it gives me great pleasure to report that this EP is another wee gem.
Her bluesy folk sound continues here, although she has stepped up a notch in the vocal department. Not that she was rubbish beforehand, far from it. But this has an added richness to it. There is also a noticeable seventies singer / songwriter vibe creeping through on songs like the opening ‘Curious’, something that continues on the following title track.
‘Starts A Whisper’ and ‘Early Days’ are more reminiscent of her debut album, but there isn’t a duff note to be found across the four tracks. In fact, the only thing wrong here is that it isn’t a second album. Buy it now.
BILLY COBHAM
Reflected Journey / Mirror’s Image
Cleopatra
Time for some jazz fusion now, and it’s a brace of live albums recorded at the same show in Tokyo, on February 15th, 1992. Mr Cobham was promoting the “By Design”. Now, musically, things are always fine as befits someone who worked with Miles Davis and the Mahavishnu Orchestra, but as a drummer, a lot depends on his collaborators, and no-one is going to claim that the nineties were his peak.
Luckily when he arrived in Japan with Ira Coleman on double bass and Joe Chindamo on piano, he dipped back into his back catalogue, revisiting songs all the way back to ‘Crescent Sun’ from his 1974 album and ‘Shabazz’, the title track from the 1975 album of the same name.
The more recent material, however, lurks in the shadows by comparison, but as an example of his powerhouse percussion, these albums do the trick. If you can only spring for one, though, then plump for “Refelcted Journey”, which shades it’s companion piece.
Reflected – BUY AT AMAZON
Mirror’s Image – BUY AT AMAZON
GREG NAGY
Stranded
Big O
Time for some soulful blues now, and Greg Nagy from Michigan is just the man to provide it.
If you were a fan of Robert Cray back in the days before he jumped the shark, then you’ll know what you’re in for here, as Mr Nagy has an intimate voice and a way with a groove. He’s got a fine band backing him and an excellent set of tunes, so it’s definitely an enjoyable vibe.
He also provides some great guitar work, underpinned by the work of Scott Veenstra on drums, Jim Alfredson on keyboards and Joseph Veloz on bass, alongside some top notch guests. And when the songs hit their peak, as they do on the likes of ‘Stranded’, ‘Long Way to Memphis’ and a great run through Bobby Blue Bland’s ‘Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City’, then it’s a joyous noise.
Definitely recommended.
TOOTS LORRAINE
Make It Easy
Greaseland
And we’re staying with the blues for our final record of the day, but this one is more old school with a strong Chicago influence running through this excellent release from the splendidly named Toots Lorraine.
It’s split between originals and covers, with the title track the best of the former. Elsewhere, there are some great takes on Howlin’ Wolf’s ‘Built For Comfort’, Jimmie Vaughan/ Mac Rebennack’s penned ‘Love The World’, and Big Mama Thornton’s ‘Let Your Tears Fall Baby’. Guitarist Chad Mo puts in a great shift, with some delightful work, with some additional picking from co-producer Kid Andersen. But it’s the vocals of Miss Lorraine that stop you in your tracks and force you to listen.
Best of the ballads is ‘Wrong Side Of Love’, but it’s when they kick up a storm that things work best. A great blues release that genre fans should definitely check it out.
The Rocker - The Artist Formerly Known As Zeitgeist. TAFKAZ 
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