- Music
- 05 Jun 13
Superior blues and jazz from Dublin stalwart
His 2005 album All My Love’s In Vain was a classic Irish jazz/ blues record (the single ‘Beautiful Day’ has deservedly become a radio staple). Here, with a stellar ensemble cast, Mooney blends original compositions and classics.
With an unforced voice that recalls Mose Allison (‘Young Man Blues’) and a guitar style not a million miles away from BB King and Kenny Burrell, the performances are nothing less than stunning. Opener ‘I Ain’t Ready’ boasts a terrific horn arrangement courtesy of Michael Buckley, while ‘Ain’t That Love’, features world-renowned Richie Buckley on sax. Meanwhile one-time Van Morrison sideman Georgie Fame is guest vocalist on ‘Down For Double’, a big-band style stomper (which also includes homegrown guitar legend Louis Stewart.)
Elsewhere, ‘April In Paris’ finds Mooney crooning Sinatra style and the title track (named after a pub in Phibsboro’) is a jazzy instrumental of the sort you might find sound-tracking a ‘60s Steve McQueen movie. Good stuff entirely...
Key Track:‘I Ain’t Ready’