Eamonn McCormack, from North Dublin, has been around in various guises since the early ‘80s – and might be better known to some in his earlier incarnation as the main force behind the Samuel Eddy Band. Now relocated to Germany, where his popularity makes him a serious live draw, Heal My Faith was recorded in his adopted homeland using local musicians.
An old-school, blues-influenced axe-meister in the Rory Gallagher/Jimi Hendrix/Joe Bonamassa vein (he was among the very last musicians to record with Gallagher before his death) the album includes a steaming version of Rory’s classic, ‘Shadow Play’ that remains faithful to the original. Also included is an obscure Thin Lizzy B-side ‘A Night In The Life Of An Old Blues Singer’ – a slow burner not a million miles away from ‘Still In Love With You’ in atmosphere.
Elsewhere he concentrates on his own material. The title-track, a ‘Purple Haze’-like mid-tempo blues rocker, is typical of what to expect here namely riffs and solos aplenty courtesy of McCormack’s trusty Fender Stratocaster and a tight band and some decent songs. Other highlights include, the epic ‘That’s Rock & Roll’ and ‘Bad Luck’ which boasts a strong Thin Lizzy influence and the poignant, smouldering ballad, ‘My Sweet Angel’.