Album review: JIMMY’S COUSIN – Wax Wings

Desertion Records [Release date 08.03.19]

There is something endearingly conversational about the music of Jimmy’s Cousin. The new album from the Irish originating jazz man, ‘Waxwings’, is an exercise in raconteur style. Singer-songwriter Ian Dosdson aka Jimmy’s Cousin opens the album with ‘Astor & 8th’, a vivid story about a dreamy trip to New York.

The arrangements by Dave Keary, whose credits include working with Taj Mahal, Bobby Womack and Van Morrison, have a relaxed lounge-vibe. If there were any overdubs they’re certainly not discernable, as the whole atmosphere feels very organic. Occasionally punctuating the mellow is some showy musicianship, like the bluesy electric guitar from Keary on ‘I Do’ and Stevie Wonder-like harmonica on ‘Love Is Only for Fools’.

Well worn themes of heartbreak are chewed over on album standout, ‘I’ll Never Love’. This wistful look back on a failed relationship owes a debt sonically to ‘Bennie and The Jets’, which is no bad thing. Dodson’s vocal really soars here as his belt increases across the song. The voice of Jimmy’s Cousin makes a nice juxtaposition against his own folk-y lyrics, sounding like a crisp crooner somewhere between Bryan Ferry and Gregory Porter.
Titular song ‘Waxwings’, presumably referencing the wings of Icarus in Greek mythology, captures the euphoria of being in an all encompassing relationship. “Waxwings carried us along and up to the clouds”. The poetic lyrics continue over onto ‘Look at Me Now’, a plaintive reminder from one lover to another that they are there; “I’m just standing here watching for you, I’ll be there to rescue you”. Producer Dave Keary weaves in some subtle string arrangements that lend a cinematic quality.

Press material for the album states that Jimmy’s Cousin took thirty years to get round to this album because Dodson “wanted to wait till I had something to say”. On the strength of this release, hopefully he won’t take that long for the follow up! ***

Review by Phillip Beamon

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
RIOGHAN Hands (Inverse Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)