ELEANOR MC EVOY

Love Must Be Tough

2008-10-07

Dublin's Eleanor Mc Evoy gets grittier on this CD, using songs written by men (and not typically covered by women), as well as some new compositions of her own to convey some hard-learned and world-weary advice to those still fightin' for love and a decent life. The opener, "Mother's Little Helper" of Rolling Stones fame, starts with the famous line "What a drag it is getting old" and the hard-fought lessons of the narrator keep on coming throughout the tracks. But I didn't find the music depressing; rather it is delivered as sound -- if a bit lip-curled -- advice from a survivor. The title track sums it up, a fine new song by Eleanor, co-written with music legend Johnny Rivers (remember "Summer Rain"?). I liked the percussion-only background of Sly Stone's "If You Want Me to Stay" and the horns on the Van Morrison-ish "Roll Out Better Days." My hunch that Eleanor is, in the end, still encouraging us to keep on keepin' on was confirmed by the nod-and-a-wink rockabilly Nick Lowe closer "I Knew the Bride." Who needs Dr. Phil when we have Eleanor? 10/08 Michael J. F-Rock

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Folk

  • reviewed 07/2007

    FREMONT JOHN
    Timeline

  • reviewed 10/2004

    Kaki King
    Legs to Make Us Longer

  • reviewed 04/2008

    Peter Moren
    The Last Tycoon

  • reviewed 05/2009

    LEONARD COHEN
    SELECTIONS FROM LIVE IN LONDON

  • reviewed 10/2010

    ENOCH KENT
    Take A Trip With Me

  • reviewed 03/2007

    THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS
    Fork In The Road

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.