OUR FAVORITE TRACK…Moving To The Moon is a straight infusion of pure, unadulterated Brit-Rock. At 2:18 we are reminded of what electric guitar solos once were…
“I just need some time alone
I’m movin’ to the moon…”
In a fine bit of contrast, the piano-centric, The Tears From The Stars, gently rolls its way across the center of the album leaving a delightfully Beatles-esque aftertaste as it departs.
The cathartic and encouraging, Part Of The Plan, leaves everything to faith and effort. Be sure to stick around for the climatically soothing vocal harmony at the conclusion.
Up until this moment, I’ve kept quiet about the Billy Joel-esque undertones I hear on this record. But no longer! Everybody’s Out For Themselves confirms this in composition, performance and writing! Well done!
Just when you think you’ve got Canning nailed down, he tosses the Dylan-styled, 100 Years, at you and ends the album with it, no less! Little more than an acoustic guitar and Paul’s crystalline vocal timbre carry the album to conclusion in this reflective and lovely confessional. (It’s just possible that Paul is a hopeless romantic—in the best of ways.)
IN CONCLUSION…
A vocal presence made for this genre. A blueprint-style yesteryear brand of rock’n’roll. A highly-entertaining instance of near-perfect technical production. Paul Canning’s latest album, Jiggery Pokery, shows a master-level of proficiency in every area of creation: composition, writing, instrumental & vocal performances, as well as production & engineering.
We’ve said it before on a number of occasions—the current electronic-musical movement is well and good. But it is always entirely refreshing to encounter a bit of music which was crafted by hand, using time-aged musical skill, a slow & patient writing process, and real computer-free instruments. This labored effort comes through in the music. The difference between creating and composing, VS. chopping and arranging—this has an end-result feel, a softness, an authenticity that is ultimately undeniable. Fans of that brand of singer-songwriter-rock will adore this album.
WHOSE LOVECHILD…?
The Rolling Stones meet Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers with just a dash of Billy Joel…
Review from https://thearkofmusic.com/paul-canning-jiggery-pokery