Thursday, November 20, 2008


Various Artists – The Fine Art Of Music (CoraZong).

This is a 2 CD showcase of CoraZong’s current catalogue and has artists such as Peter Cooper, Krista Detor, Kim Carnes, Alastair Moock and Last Train Home displaying their wares.

CoraZong is well-known for their commitment to artists that are just on the edge of genres such as Americana, Folk, Blues and Country.

JP Den Tex gives us the sedate MOR The Lights Of Phoenix and ups the stakes with a tortured vocal on the piano ballad, Looking For Rosie. Alastair Moock has his usual quirky vocal on the standout live version of My Creole Belle. He exudes an old style class with excellent playing all around. He also contributes God Saw Fit To Make Tears, which is a gentle Americana with weary vocal.

The Mercy Brothers’ I Believe I’ll Make A Change tips its hat to Woody Guthrie whereas Waiting For A Better Day shows their country blues side. Peter Cooper shows he is a star on Wine and he has that great American voice so suited for the gentle country of Gospel Song.

Jeff Talmadge is on the gentle country trail with Wrong Train. He also gives us a live version of Wild And Precious Thing which shows him to be a most accomplished singer songwriter. Krista Detor’s dark Go Ahead & Wait has silver linings if you wait and More Than I Dare Say has more of her silky voice.

John Coinman throws in some Tex-Mex on Down In Nogales and a very good example it is too. However, he also gives us the strange You And Me, Oui which doesn’t really work. Inneke 23 & The Lipstick Painters gives us the topical Christmas Song. Also here is Elephant Crossing, a quirky song with bouncy fiddle and banjo.

Kim Carnes has the gentle brilliance of Goodnight Angel on which she has a great vocal partnership with her backing singer. She still has that husky voice from Bette Davis Eyes and she unleashes it on Still Warmed By The Thrill (live). However, this is so different from what she is known for as it is slow and acoustic. The excellent Last Train Home contributes Flood which is strong, moody country tinged rock. They also supply (Say) Won’t You Be Mine which has tremendous guitar and pedal steel with an old style country/bluegrass feel.

Patricia Vonne is raucous and rebellious on Rebel Bride (live in New York City). She also gives us some classic Americana on Joe’s Gone Ridin’ and this shows her strong voice and a top backing band. Jean Paul Rena & Terrawheel provide some heavy guitar R&R. It’s raw and just about ok but they show their blues and roots side on the acoustic demo of Blue Son.

As a sampler for CoraZong’s eclectic style of music, this could not be any better. I defy you not to find something that you like.

http://www.corazong.com/

David Blue.

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