STEVE COYLE —TEN IN ONE (Fiddling Cricket Music)

[Maurice Hope]

www.steviecoyle.com
Former Waybacks leader and founder member, Stevie Coyle for his solo debut has come up with a unique and ambitious project, and it works. Ten In One is a collection of songs and accompanying intros that take the listener on journey through time, a time when carnivals, side shows, roustabouts and trains were a way of life for a great many. His ability to conjure, spare stark imagery aided by fine musicianship, as the likes of Phillip Aaberg, Sam Bevan, Rich DePaolo, Mike Marshall, Walter Strauss (and also produces) and Kit Walker among others give the project wings to fly. As one after another innovative selections unfurl in a varied and entertaining fashion.

Coyle’s attraction to the circus, vaudeville and the street entertainer like that of Tom Russell when he recorded his album Hotwalker (Hightone) plus, he even brings in flavours from the far east for ‘Cousin Sari Brown’ (inst) and with ‘Petrified Man’ following hard on its heels, Steve playing acoustic, lap steel and resonator guitars, guilliope veers towards the free-reeling music and ‘band’ performance of the amazing Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks. Doused in steel guitar, female harmony vocals and a quirky twist or two it is top class.

Of a folk-ish feel the light and breezy ‘Penny Wishes’ brings a warmth, typical of a great many of the songs as mandolin and acoustic guitar help weave a finely spun tapestry, while ‘The Falcon’ (Richard Farina) draws from the old folk ballad ‘Cuckoo Bird’ and it fits, perfectly. Such is the plaintive, stripped down accompaniment of acoustic guitar and mixed harmony vocals. Instrumental ‘Cousin Sally Brown’ featuring guitar and fiddle, likewise on possessing a rustic edge takes the listener back in time.

On dusting down some old style finger guitar picking Coyle comes through with the fabulous ‘Microphone Fever’; aided by the occasional sound effect it is a genuine standout. Excellent stuff, and though the album is best heard as one piece the it and one or two more, the listener can enjoy it as a one-off. Talking about one-offs then there are few to match the mighty ‘She Ain’t Got Me’ that closes the set in fantastic fashion. A little funky, a little pop, a little gospel and with it awash in mystic and intrigue the talent of the multi-faceted Coyle; actor; on stage, commercials and who once appeared in Cheers plus, he travelled with a circus for three years and that is just for starters! What this man isn’t a master of is no one’s business!
Maurice Hope

Stevie here FSN http://flyinshoes.ning.com/profile/StevieCoyle

And on the House Concert Hub here.


Find more music like this on The House Concert European Hub (& Acoustic Music Club Network)

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