Moondog
Medicine Show – Elixir (Independent)
The inclusion of songs by Ike and Tina Turner (‘Cussin’,
Cryin’ and Carryin’ On’) and Barrelhouse Annie (‘If It Don’t Fit Don’t Force It’)
within a set of otherwise original tunes by guitarist Joel ‘Jomo’ Newman is a
strong indication of where this outfit is coming from.
Fronted by Lana Spence’s gritty vocals, the band brew up a
heady mix of funk, soul, blues and rock, augmented by keyboards, horns and
backing singers a-plenty. The likelihood that this combination will bear more
than a passing resemblance to the work of a certain Ms. Joplin hasn’t passed
unnoticed, not least by Big Brother and the Holding Company’s Sam Andrews who
has described their sound as ‘strong and defiant’ and says of Spence herself
that ‘she always delivers’.
In fairness, on the evidence of ‘Elixir’, that’s a
description which could well be applied to the whole band. No mere pretenders
they have produced a collection that’s crisp and vibrant and consistently tight
as a drum. The Ike and Tina cover is well judged – a real barnstormer which
must seriously rock live – and Newman’s own ‘Moondog Elixir’, ‘Bombom’ and ‘Cold
in Hand’ particularly impress from the first listen onwards.
Repeated plays suggest few weak links in the chain, making for a satisfying and accomplished release all round.
Neil B.
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