Review

Jen Kearney: To The Moon (Chinchin Records)

New to my ears Jen Kearney's new cd has dropped into my inbox recently and not knowing what to expect it got put on the backburner. Ok I'll admit I didn't have the faintest who this lady was but the 'said ears' soon picked up when her throaty, raw vocals came out at me!

Some tough, organic live band arrangements adorn this offering and glued together by some sublime electric piano (Aretha Franklyn style) and the strong and feisty evocative voice (not unlike a low register Carleen Anderson) leading it all majestically and the material hangs together very well as if Wexler and the shoals were involved!

'Grandpa' starts of with a killer syncopated and extremely crisp bassline followed by some cracking drums and a sweet soul horn section as JK exudes a rough off the cuff charm that doesn't wear thin and 'Oxen Free' a glorious latin tune that shows off her songwriting prowess with pure force! Yes I can definately see this act performing at Ronnie Scotts or the like as 'Warm Bath Eyes' carries on the latin fiesta with terrific pace and fervour. This girl's got sass and grit!

Nice to hear a guitar part turn up on 'Succotash Blue' a rock solid groove and a complex melody that takes a bit of getting used to, but this is what gives her a twist and makes her standout above the herd of singer songwriters plus her stonking band. 'Can I Get An Amen,' the stand out track, sounds like a forgotten classic and is just simply a sweet knockout delight with some of the tastiest guitar I've heard in a long while (Clapton eat your heart out!!)
Words Emrys Baird