This is another 'Mojo' find. It was so heavily rated in the magazine that I just had to get it. And I am glad I did. SING YOU SINNERS - McKeown is a singer/songwriter [www.erinmckeown.com] and, as with other recent artists, just wanted to make a fun record with her musician friends and not worry about any financial gain. Albums recorded with this in mind hardly every fail as their is a relaxed spirit about them.
She got her best musician friends together and recorded it in 4 days. It won't be a classic album or even a best seller but it with McKeown's easy and pleasant voice it makes for comfortable listening and has plenty of spirit. Part jazz, part standards she kept her ego under control by only including one of her own compositions. It starts with a stunning version of Get Happy, all twinkling piano's then into halleluahs. Included are Just One Of Those Things, Don't Worry 'Bout Me and Paper Moon.
Allison Miller is the drummer and it's the drumming you notice after the voice, it becomes a part of the track, not just a beat keeper. There is also a rich, upright bass. In fact it's the small, tight band which makes this album - every instrument is clear and strong.
There is a wonderful and mysterious working of Cole Porters Just One Of Those Things. McKeown asks if the song was meant as him just tossing away a relationship or was he devastated. She goes for the devastation and sings it as such, one of the best verisons I have heard and it's on the ipod.
"Wherever there's music, the devil kicks in'
Sing You Sinners [Coslow/Harling]
2008-03-05 @ 20:05