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Bad Day At Black Rock (AND CD39) £6 The first truly solo album from Jackie, frontman of legendary Celtic rockers The Poormouth and long time musical collaborator with Van Morrison and Lonnie Donegan. His unique brand of Celtic blues, sung and played with the authenticity, emotion and craftsmanship that you would expect from such a man, offers the listener a hugely rewarding listening experience. All original material apart from a cracking Crossroads Blues that even Robert Johnson would be proud of. Not to be missed. ABOUT JACKIE McAULEY At 17 Jack joined Van Morrison and the band Them, moving to London to promote the first hit single 'Baby please don't go'. When that band split Jack set up a blues band with Paul Brady called The Cult' After 2 years in Dublin Jack moved to Copenhagen where he set up a band and made an album called 'The Belfast Gypsies'. Back in London he teamed up with Judy Dyble of Fairport Convention and they recorded an album under the name Trader Horn. During the 70's Jack became a session musician on many albums including top Jamaican reggae band The Heptones, Jim Capaldi and Rebop of Traffic, albums with Rick Wakeman, another with jazz singer Viola Wills - the list goes on. He then joined one of his heroes Lonnie Donegan as Musical Director and spent four years as his sideman. In 1982 he co-wrote with his friend Johnny Gustafson the top 10 hit 'Dear John' for Status Quo. In 1986 Jack launched The Poor Mouth. An instant success, they were credited with kick starting the Celtic rock boom and their album Gael Force is now considered a classic by most. At this juncture in a distinguished career McAuley has taken another step - his first really solo album. Bad Day At Black Rock is an inspired set of original Celtic Blues that is uniquely Jackie McAuley - at his very best. *** REVIEWS *** Jackie, for the uninitiated was the guitarist of choice for both Van Morrison and Lonnie Donegan (not bad bedfellows I'm sure you'll agree!) along the way he was also team leader for his own band Poormouth. Recently he has taken to recording in acoustic mode and this album features his distinctive style. Conveying with much conviction his love of Country music Jack introduces the album with 'Dynamite Town' a track that could in fact be his calling card in much the same way Copperhead Road was for Steve Earle. In that hokey, goodtime way with a catchy chorus and a good hook line on the track 'You're The Pretty One' he manages to slip into the kind of groove that McGuiness Flint established with When I'm Dead And Gone. Many of you that have heard his songs before will appreciate just how good a craftsman Jack is when it comes to constructing memorable melodies coupled with stunning lyrics. But, it's not only his songs. With consummate skill he also employs liberal use of resonator guitar backed by Esther Hackett's accordion for the sleazy Tex-Mex instrumental title track. I'm sure, like much of his previous work these songs will become standards on the lists of many folk performers. Needless to say if you like good music, you'll love this album. PETE FYFE back to band list Price: £6 # 096(CD39) |
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A New Day Records 75 Wren Way Farnborough Hants GU14 8TA |