Don Baker - My Songs My Friends

Don Baker, singer, songwriter, guitarist and, of course, ace harmonica-player, not to mention bluesman, is joined on these 14 tracks by a stellar cast of Irish musicians and artists, all performing his own compositions. It’s an ambitious project and one that took shape over a long period. The results are well worth the wait, with more than a few gems to consider.
Featuring the instantly familiar voice of Sinéad O’Connor, opener ‘Cinderella’ is a terrific blues pop rocker – not a million miles away from her early hit ‘Mandinka’. Another recognisable voice is that of Finbar Furey and his ‘Little Rock ‘n’ Roll Band’ – a JJ Cale-style slow blues shuffle featuring nifty guitar work. ‘Blues Junkey’ finds Mick Pyro growling and howling in a stew of incendiary R’n’B, with help from the Don Baker Band. In contrast, the sweet vocals of Gemma Hayes work perfectly on the lovely, lilting ballad, ‘Each Day Today’. Elsewhere, swampy delta blues is the main influence on ‘Drivin’’, featuring Declan O’Rourke with just acoustic guitar, while the relatively unknown Clara Rose is a revelation on the Aretha-esque ‘Fergus Healing Song’. Meanwhile, the versatile Brian Kennedy is in top form on the defiant, gospel-like ‘Say It To My Face’, Eleanor McEvoy duets with Baker on the Bonnie Raitt-like blues of ‘Lord Have Mercy’, while ‘Dallas Rag’ features veteran violinist Pat Collins and Baker on an instrumental ditty that recalls Steely Dan’s ‘East St Louis Toodle Do’.
Other highlights include Liam O Maonlai’s soulful ‘Rock Bottom’, Paddy Casey on the rocking ‘Crack Cocaine’ and Cork’s own troubadour, John Spillane on the polemical ‘Politician’. That’s quit some cast on what is a fascinating record.

Key Track: 'Cinderella'