Album review: POWWOW ORCHESTRA – Everybody Powwow!

[Release date 15.06.15] www.facebook.com/powwowthealbum

This double CD is the work of composer and musical arranger Simon Webb. The story centres around Thomas Christian, a miner from the north of England, who travels to America where he falls in love with Rosie, a native American from the Oglala Sioux tribe. The songs follow their story and to help tell this tale there are some name guests including former Whitesnake guitarist Bernie Marsden, drummer Jimmy Copley (Paul Rodgers/Magnum) and the Kick Horns. Best of all is hearing vocalist Robert Hart again, he of The Distance, Bad Company and Manfred Mann’s Earth Band fame.

Aside from a possible 80′s sounding album title, Simon Webb certainly takes the subject of the native American Indians seriously and one of the most famous books, ‘Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee’ gets recognition in a song of the same title.

The music has some funk, soul and pop elements, like on ‘Gold Fever’ or ‘Crazy Horse’. Other songs recall Asia (the John Payne-fronted version) on ‘Chase The Sun’ and the single in waiting, ‘Amerikaye’.

Robert Hart still has his emotive vocals intact and Emma Pears sings the parts of Rosie with the passion required to lift a song out of the ordinary into the memorable as can be heard on ‘Don’t Leave Me’. Surprisingly for a concept album there is only one epic song, ‘Chase The Sun (Reprise)’ where the sax playing of Alan Stewart takes centre stage.

Those who enjoy a good story told through music, with that big production/West End feel this will be right up your street. For me, worth it just to hear Robert Hart’s vocals on an album again! ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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