Reviews roundup – Barbara Black vs. McKee Brothers vs. Lina vs. 61 Ghosts

Reviews roundup – Barbara Black vs. McKee Brothers vs. Lina vs. 61 Ghosts

 

BARBARA BLACK
Ad Libitum
independent

I’ve never heard of her but over there in Spain, Barbara Black is well known in the hard rock world.

This is her debut solo album, following on from the 2016 “Spiritual Rock” EP. Of the back of that she sang at the Madrid tribute to Freddie Mercury, having already toured with Danny Vaughn (Tykketo) as backing vocalist a couple of years earlier. So she’s got some pipes. And in places this is a good hard rock album.

It is an independent release and there are a few rough edges on the production side. But when the backing isn’t trying to overpower her, you can tell what a good singer she is. That’s showcased on the ballad ‘Shiva’ but if you want to hear a hard rock tune that works perfectly then try ‘Southern Soul. It’s the best track here and just powers out of the speakers at you.

She tips over into metal on ‘Ghost’ but it’s when she sticks to the rawk that it all works best. There are some excellent riffs from Javier Peláez and with a couple of the twelve tracks left behind this would have moved up a division. Regardless, it’s a strong debut and will hopefully lead to more from Ms Black, as she’s certainly got the voice to go places..

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McKEE BROTHERS
Moon Over Montgomery
independent

I enjoyed the four decades in the making “Enjoy It While You Can”, the debut album from the McKee Brothers. They must have liked it as well, as this fairly rapid follow up is cut from the same cloth.

Dennis and Ralph are the brothers in question, and as with the last record, they’ve hauled in a huge number of musicians to help them along their funky, bluesy, rootsy way. But they’ve got some very talented mates so it all works well. Thirteen of the sixteen tracks are new tunes, with a couple of Dan Penn tunes and a multi vocalist version of the title track. The supporting cast have done time with the likes of Bob Seger, Janiva Magness, Tower of Power and Rufus, so when they brew up a wee storm it’s music at it’s best.

They do funk on ‘I Feel Like Dynamite’, hit a New Orleans groove on ‘Confidential’ and jazzy on the looking back vibe of ‘Flat, Black, And Circular’. But wherever they decide to cast their net, they reel in a winner. It doesn’t fit into any one genre but for those of you like their music rootsy and organic this is a sure fire winner.

No new video but here’s one from a couple of years back.

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LINA
I Wore It Better
Yodan

The follow up to the rather good ‘Can’t Keep Falling’, this came out while the US-born, Israel-raised winner of The Voice Israel was out with Little Mix on the UK & Ireland leg of The Glory Days Tour for all 37 arena dates from October-November 2017.

And I can’t think of any reason while the Little Mixters who turned up early wouldn’t take to this. Mind you, I’m an old man, so my view on what is and isn’t poptastic may be open to question. It tells a tale that’s familiar to us all. Lina spots her ex boyfriend out with his new lady friend. The new girl is wearing his pullover but hey! Lina wore it better. We’ve all been there.

It’s bouncy, shrill and full of electro beats. Which is modern pop. The little girls should be lapping this up.

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61 GHOSTS
…To The Edge
Bluzpik

his is a bit of an odd one. But odd in a good way.

It’s a debut release from the duo of Joe Mazzari and Dixie Deadwood, but they’re both seasoned veterans. The former has toured and recorded with Johnny Thunders, Walter Lure and Jerry Nolan (of Heartbreakers/New York Dolls fame/infamy) while Dixie has thumped her tubs behind well known bluesman Leo “Bud” Welch for a good few years.

So you’d expect some kind of scuzzy mix of sleaze rock and Mississippi blues. And you’d be right. Mr Mazzari may not be the best singer in the world but he’s got that heartfelt blue collar rock kind of voice that actually suits the material well. It’s a mini album, six tracks long, and sounds like it’s been bashed out in someones garage. Which I’m sure is deliberate. The opening, hard rocking, ‘Heartbeat’ is the best track on offer with the fuzz blues of ‘World Gone Crazy’ running it a close second. But they can go all mellow on your ass as well with the affecting ‘Show Me Your Scars’ a surprising left turn from what went before.

It’s an enjoyable release if you like your music rough and ready, and I’d be happy to hear more.

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St Columba’s Hospice Tribute Fund for Linda Hamilton
http://linda.hamilton.muchloved.com/
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