In Print  Home  Directories  Reviews  Get In Touch  Forums  Links  Gig Guide  

CAROL BEAN: Crossing The Dirty River

There are some strong bar-room blues rockers on Carol Bean’s new album, and the bass playing of Elliotte Fuimaono (you’ll often hear him backing Darren Watson) is never less than superb. Mike Petrie, Robbie Duncan, Mark Laurent and local councilor / guitar luthier Ray Ahipene-Mercer list among some great local guitarists also involved. In fact all of the playing is very solid, the album only faltering whenever Bean gets to the microphone. Not because she’s a bad singer, rather because her songwriting is somewhat hackneyed. Lame political commentary and try-hard references to modern living (there’s a song called ‘Hard Drive Blues’ – please!) do not find favour. A shame given the talent involved. Maybe it all falls in to place live? I can see the potential, but people need to remember that records are unforgiving and I’m surprised a number of these songs made the final cut.

Related Information