Essential listening, even for those who think they don't lik
Jazz Headcase | Indiana USA | 05/16/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Five masters running the gamut of not just traditional folk tunes but old blues (Furry Lewis' "Turn Your Money Green"), old spirituals (No More My Lord) and jazz (2 Mingus tunes as well as a song titled "I've Got a Feeling" which is a not too subtle borrowing of riff and chord changes from Miles Davis' "All Blues" from the Kind of Blue record. Different melody, though - and lyrics so I guess it's ok that the song is credited to the band.). I think the guitarists have been given their due via reviews over the years (deservedly so!), Jackie McShee likewise and bassist Danny Thompson has been mentioned by the other Amazon reviewers, particularly his solo bass excursion through "Haitian Fight Song". So I feel the need to mention percussionist Terry Cox who gets incredible colors from his drumkit! Listen to his mallets on skins on "No More My Lord" and the amazing amount of tension he brings to the piece- it's almost orchestral. Really brilliant. For those who wrongly proclaim drummers as "non-musicians".
The interplay between these artists is startling - the two guitarists weave in and out and the vocals are not just your standard 2 or 3 part harmony. McShee's voice is the essence of purity, conviction and heart. I've worn out the grooves on my old vinyl record and I just ordered this CD. You should do the same - this is music everyone should hear."