Based on the Mediterranean island of Gozo, Carl Carlton is a guitarist/songwriter/producer and Melanie Wiegmann is a singer & actress. This is their second album having had a top fifty album in Germany with their debut.
Wayne P. Sheehy adds drums & percussion and Yoyo Rohm plays basses, piano & Mellotron. Keb Mo adds his vocals to the opening single ‘Just Like You’ and Rami Jaffee plays Hammond organ.
I am at a bit of a loss to describe the music because they not only cross many genres but also play others’ songs in a very different manner to the original. As well as a couple of originals, they play a fine version of ‘Love Potion #9’, giving it a strongly New Orleans feel, a lovely version of Joni Mitchell’s ‘Both Sides Now’ and a jaunty version of ‘Big Boss Man’ that shows off Melanie’s vocals. John Prine’s ‘Daddy’s Little Pumpkin’ has real power and rocks like a beast. Carlton spent a long time at Woodstock where he became close friends with Levon Helm, and I definitely feel the influence of the legendary drummer/singer. Van Morrison’s ‘Crazy Love’ has a very definite feel of The Band. Jerry Jeff Walker’s ‘Little Bird’ is delicious, folksy and gentle with some fine guitar work.
The quality of the playing and the production on this album is exquisite, and there is a huge amount to appeal to a wide audience. I have to caveat that by saying that the album takes a number of listens before you can really appreciate the depth, and the first few times through I was almost overwhelmed by the variation in styles. However, it is worth a deep investigation of one of the most satisfying albums I’ve heard this year.
