The latest releases reviewed.
Disasters, no matter how deep or dark, hold a limited attention span. The world moves on, but for those affected the misery remains. Dr John, aka Mac Rebennack, a native of New Orleans, the city devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, has taken up the metaphorical cudgels on behalf of his fellow citizens. Promises made in the immediate wake of the disaster have come to nothing, as Dr John says, and he paints a compelling picture of a city and its people left high and dry. He does this via his most consistent and pumped-up collection of songs in an age, the gumbo rhythms zigzagging their way behind spirited brass and guest players such as Eric Clapton. It all makes for a funky, chunky experience, with the blues never far away.
www.drjohn.org
Download tracks: Promises Promises, My People Need a Second Line
JOE BREEN
www.eileenhealy.net
*** Eileen Healy is one busy woman. The Cork-born singer/fiddler/guitarist has cultivated a solo career while playing with eastern European specialists The Polskadots. She is a painter whose striking work adorns this 13-song collection of blues, country and beyond. It would be hard to criticise Healy's selection of material - quality songs such as Hank Williams's
Weary Blues, Richard Thompson's
She Sang Angels to Restand the traditional
Ain't Got No Honey Baby Nowspeak for themselves. Healy's simple but affecting arrangements, featuring her impressive fiddle playing and a sympathetic group of musicians, also hit the spot. But her singing can sound inflexible and even a little wooden, so the vocals are best when shared with Rachael Healy or others. That said my favourite piece is a k.d. Lang-like stand-alone version of the novelty tune
Sweet Little Cherokee.
[ www.eileenhealy.netOpens in new window ]
Download tracks: Sweet Little Cherokee, Rock of Ages
JOE BREEN
