Helen
McCookerybook – Anarchy Skiffle (Barbaraville Records)
CD/DL
Out Now
From The
Chefs and The Horns to a critically acclaimed solo career, Helen McCookerybook
releases her new album.
You may not
be familiar with Helen McCookerybook, and that’s a shame. On the recent Danny Baker TV mini-series,
Rockin’ Decades, one of her previous incarnations (The Chefs) was mentioned as
being influential in 80s music, and Helen & The Horns were personal
favourites of John Peel recording no less than three sessions for him.
On Anarchy
Skiffle, her new album, she breezes through eleven delightful tracks of which
nine are self-penned, in some of the finest cowpunk/folk/skiffle you will
hear. When someone has the talent of
forming lyrics the way she does and is able to blend them with the sincerest of
voices, you can’t help but sit up and listen.
Simplicity is the key, but with added vocal arrangements from her team
of cow-men the tracks are lifted.
Album opener
and title track questions the steadfast following of anarchy itself, she was
there and she knows what it was all about, but is able to flip the coin and
offer up the ‘other side’.
Fitting it
is that Magpie features the voice of Helen the songbird. Not trying to be anything she isn’t, instead
singing with honesty and integrity, which is often her secret. She doesn’t need over-the-top productions or
fancy effects because her voice is her all.
You might
think there’s a Doris Day familiarity (ironic as a cover of Secret Love was a
Horns favourite), and there’s no harm in comparing the sweet voices. Throw in a sprinkling of acoustic alternative
pop and you’re not far off track.
Ridin’ High
tells the story of the runaway 17 year old ‘single minded girl’ now back in the
fold and comfortable with her life.
Quite.
Amongst the listing
is Rose Of The Soul’s True Desire, a lovely number written by partner Martin Stephenson
who also guests on the album, and another outing for Pioneer Town an old Horns
favourite.
Not enough
people know about Helen and that’s a travesty in itself, Anarchy Skiffle is a
must-own for any self-respecting music fan, and the chance to give her more
recognition is here.
8.5/10
8.5/10
Links
Buy Anarchy Skiffle here
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