Contemporary classic.
The Hoodoo Man, import New Orlenian Moore’s first, was a versatile CD with influences from blues and pop music, but especially funk. His self-penned songs sounded enthusiastic and swinging. Closing song You Won’t Be There appealed most to producer/singer-songwriter Anders Osborne apparently, a still, acoustic ballad about the sorrow of loss.
Osborne clearly takes advantage of that side on Moore’s second. Moore profiles himself in eleven songs as a singer-songwriter, of which paradoxically only five are his own. That stillness is increased further by the accompanying musicians: guitarist John Fohl, keyboardist John Gros, bassist Casandra Faulconer and drummer Kevin O’Day left out superfluous notes many times already. Moore’s own opener sets the tone for that: Gros’ gritty organ snatches, O’Day’s lightly ticking drums and Faulconer’s bass meandering around them blend with Moore’s acoustic guitar. On top of that he sings, stretching the syllables. Only halfway does Fohl join in, playing nothing but clear riffs.
In other songs Moore gets room too for his emotional vocals. He turns songs by Lyle Lovett and John Fohl into parts of a cycle about love and loss, just like Osborne/Ragsdale’s It’s Going To Be Alright. That alternative New Orleans anthem is also known from Theresa Andersson. This way he sings about the various stages of grieving, coping and accepting at the end of a long-lasting relationship. Still, because of their ambiguity his lyrics could also be about New Orleans before Katrina. This way Moore unexpectedly squeezes a timeless masterpiece from his grief in Osborne’s beautiful, rootsy production.
****
Published on www.popmagazineheaven.nl in addition to Heaven no. 45 , September-October 2006 /no.5