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SACD

Eleanor McEvoy – Out There (2006) [SACD / Moscodisc – MOSACD303]

adminNovember 12, 2025 108 Views

Title: Eleanor McEvoy – Out There (2006)
Genre: Rock, Folk, World, Country
Format: SACD ISO

This new studio album from Ireland’s most accomplished female singer songwriter features twelve brand new tracks, including “Quote I Love You Unquote” written with Dave Rotheray of the Beautiful South. This collection of upbeat songs take a wry view on life, love and modern society. Eleanor does it all on this album, contributing vocals, guitars, mandolin, keyboards, electric bass and percussion on the disc! Highlights include covers of the Marvin Gaye classic “Mercy Mercy Me” and Lowell George’s “Roll Um Easy” and “Non-Smoking Single Female.”

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1 min read

SACD

Eleanor McEvoy – Early Hours (2004) [SACD / Market Square – MSM51SACD128]

adminNovember 12, 2025 126 Views

Title: Eleanor McEvoy – Early Hours (2004)
Genre: Rock, Folk
Format: MCH SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

This is another superbly produced and crafted album from one of Ireland’s most accomplished female singer-songwriters – it’s a very fine collection crossing over into many musical styles – Celtic, country, folk, jazz and blues – and makes for intensely rewarding listening. Eleanor McEvoy’s voice has you enthralled from the first moment – from the mellow piano and trumpet of the opening track You’ll Hear Better Songs (Than This) to the album’s haunting closing song Anach Cuain. McEvoy’s voice has a raw, bluesy, pure edge that completely hooks you from the start. The title song is pretty apt – you may well hear ‘better’ songs than these, but few will be so superbly crafted and exquisitely produced.

The album’s production and recording qualities are outstanding – it’s recorded in multi-channel stereo surround and offers much to the audiophile. McEvoy’s strong, often raw, Irish-accented vocal comes through with remarkable clarity and grabs your attention throughout – I was somehow reminded of a whole host of female singers as I listened. Musicianship is excellent – McEvoy’s guitar playing (both acoustic and electric) forms the backbone to these songs (she plays fiddle on one track only, the raw-edged, traditional, but very lyrical Driving Home From Butler’s). Album co-producer Brian Connor accompanies her on piano, Hammond, and all manner of keyboards – his contribution is exceptional throughout. Drummer/percussionist is Liam Bradley, Calum McColl also plays guitars, bassist is Nicky Scott, and Lindley Hamilton plays trumpet – superb on the opening track. Classically trained McEvoy is probably best known for her 1992 album Only A Woman’s Heart, which broke a good few album sales records in Ireland. Her song writing continues to be classy, mature, and crafted, and makes for immeasurably satisfying listening – McEvoy has written 10 of the 13 songs on Early Hours. Hard to pick out a favourite amidst such quality. There are superb covers of Chuck Berry’s Memphis Tennessee and Bert Jansch’s Where Did My Life Go? but it’s McEvoy’s compositions that stand tall. Slower numbers such as The DJ, Make Mine A Small One and the very beautiful Ave Maria reveal great restraint – and thereby have all the more impact on the listener. Edgier numbers include the superb I’ll Be Willing, Slipping Away, and Days Roll By – these are great songs, dominated by rhythmic guitar and piano. What with albums like Early Hours and Karine Polwart’s Faultlines to contend with, it looks like 2004 is turning into a vintage year for female vocalist releases – I honestly can’t fault this beautifully crafted album. – Review by Debbie Koritsas

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3 min read

SACD

Eleanor McEvoy – Love Must Be Tough (2008) [SACD / Moscodisc – MOSACD304]

adminNovember 12, 2025 120 Views

Title: Eleanor McEvoy – Love Must Be Tough (2008)
Genre: Rock, Folk
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Love Must Be Tough is Eleanor McEvoy’s seventh studio album. Unlike her previous six albums, which, with the exception of a few tracks, were written solely by McEvoy, Love Must Be Tough is a mixture of covers/interpretations and self-penned selections. The album’s theme of turning 40 amid mid-life crises is exemplified by the opening track, a fresh interpretation of The Rolling Stones song “Mother’s Little Helper”. The following eleven tracks continue this theme right up to the closing track, which takes a new look at Nick Lowe’s rock classic “I Knew the Bride”. In October 2008 Love Must Be Tough was named Record of the Year by Hi-Fi+ Magazine.

It’s an even year, so it must be an Eleanor McEvoy album that’s up for an award. Following in the footsteps of Yola and Out There, this year’s offering from the Irish chanteuse, Love Must Be Tough, excels even the exalted standards set by its predecessors. What started out as a collection of covers, songs she wanted to sing from a woman’s perspective, rather than in their more normal male voice, soon grew into something more – much, much more”.

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2 min read

SACD

Eddie Money – Eddie Money (1977) [Analogue Productions 2016] [SACD / Analogue Productions – CAPP 089 SA]

adminNovember 2, 2025 173 Views

Title: Eddie Money – Eddie Money (1977) [Analogue Productions 2016]
Genre: Rock
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Eddie Money is the self-titled debut album by American musician Eddie Money, recorded in the summer months and originally released in late 1977. The album is approaching triple platinum status. This strong debut benefits greatly from the expertise of veteran producer Bruce Botnick as well as the likes of former Steve Miller bassist Lonnie Turner and saxman Tom Scott. Guitarist Jimmy Lyon was to Money what Keith Scott was to Bryan Adams. Money, son of a New York City cop, had a rock & roll epiphany en route to following his dad’s career path. The debut album, long on craft but not without inspiration, deservedly shot radio-ready tunes “Two Tickets to Paradise” and “Baby Hold On” up the charts, the latter helped by former Elvin Bishop songmate Jo Baker. The key tune is the spirited “Wanna Be a Rock ‘n’ Roll Star,” which spells out the game plan.

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1 min read

SACD

Eddie Jobson – Zinc: The Green Album (1983) [Japanese Limited SHM-SACD 2014] [SACD / Capitol Records – UICY-40090]

adminNovember 2, 2025 224 Views

Title: Eddie Jobson – Zinc: The Green Album (1983) [Japanese Limited SHM-SACD 2014]
Genre: Rock, Synth-pop
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

After his stint with Jethro Tull and as the wave of new romantic pop groups were taking control of the airwaves, Eddie Jobson entered the studio to record his first solo album, known as Zinc, although it was meant to be titled “The Green Album” and billed to the band name “Zinc” — the record company messed things up quite a bit. This is an honest effort of when-prog rock-meets-synth pop. The songs are often better than Drama-era Yes and turn-of-the-’80s FM or Saga. In terms of writing and production, it sounds like Jobson is emulating Rupert Hine, whose art-pop gem Immunity came out two years before Zinc. Jobson handles all keyboards, vocals, and electric violin. Alon Oleartchik and Jerry Watts split bass duties, Michael Barsimanto supplies very early-’80s-sounding drum tracks (cold and square). Nick Moroch, Cary Sharaf, Michael Cuneo and Gentle Giant’s Gary Green appear here and there on electric guitar. Jobson’s lyrics are poor and his attempt to tie them together with a “green” theme doesn’t help. Luckily, the music is better, with “Green Face” and “Resident” standing out as two of the best synth pop songs produced in that era. The second half of the album gets weaker as ideas run thin, but the first half offers a very nice blend of pop songs and instrumentals. Jobson’s high-pitched voice is nothing to write home about, but he conceals it with the favorite gizmo of the time: the vocoder. Of course, the album sounds very dated, but collectors will find it has its moments.

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2 min read

SACD

Eddie Higgins – You Don’t Know What Love Is (2003) [Venus Japan] [SACD / Venus Records – TKGV-1001]

adminNovember 2, 2025 258 Views

Title: Eddie Higgins – You Don’t Know What Love Is (2003) [Venus Japan]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Eddie Higgins has been on the jazz scene for a long time, but he seems to be a best-kept secret by those able to track down his various releases for independent labels in the U.S. or Japanese titles, such as this one from Venus. This 2003 session features the veteran purely as a soloist, performing a dozen of his favorite ballads. While most of them are time-tested standards such as the elegant “My Funny Valentine,” the shimmering “Beautiful Love,” or “Skylark” (with an Asian-sounding introduction that suggests the humor of its composer), there are some lesser-known gems as well. The bittersweet ballad “Yellow Days” hardly pops up on many jazz CDs, though Higgins’ richly textured arrangement should attract other musicians to it. Even though one doesn’t hear the lyrics to “Again,” this seasoned pianist seems to get across the implied apology to a loved one for a senseless quarrel. “Dance Only with Me,” an overlooked jewel by the masterful songwriting team of Comden, Green, and Styne, is arranged as an elegant, deliberate waltz. Recorded and mixed in glorious 24-bit digital sound, this is easily one of Eddie Higgins’ best all-around recordings.

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2 min read

SACD

Eddie Higgins With Strings – Moonlight Becomes You (2003) [Japan] [SACD / Venus Records – TKGV-1003]

adminNovember 2, 2025 175 Views

Title: Eddie Higgins With Strings – Moonlight Becomes You (2003) [Japan]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Moonlight Becomes You finds jazz pianist Eddie Higgins leading a quintet featuring Joe Cohn (guitar), Jay Leonhart (bass), Joe Locke (vibraphone) and Joe Ascione (drums) in a sophisticated set of standards with string arrangements by Dick Lieb.

Eddie Higgins fronts a quintet, with string arrangements by Dick Lieb backing him on most tracks, as he covers ten standards. The effect of this lineup invites comparisons to the George Shearing Quintet of old. Vibraphonist Joe Locke, guitarist Joe Cohn, bassist Jay Leonhart, and drummer Joe Ascione are first-rate musicians who primarily stick to supporting roles, though Cohn’s tasty solo in “The Folks Who Live on the Hill” and Leonhart’s call and response with the leader and Locke’s dancing vibes add some variety in a brisk treatment of “If I Should Lose You.” The snappy arrangement of “Have You Met Miss Jones?” showcases Higgins and Locke. The final track, “When April Comes,” is an original ballad by the leader in a soft bossa nova setting. The overall effect of this recommended release makes it perfect for late-evening listening with someone special.

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2 min read

SACD

Eddie Higgins Trio – Portrait In Black And White (1996) [Japan 2017] [SACD / Venus Records – VHGD-210]

adminNovember 2, 2025 161 Views

Title: Eddie Higgins Trio – Portrait In Black And White (1996) [Japan 2017]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

This disc reflects Eddie Higgins’s musical interest, a range including standards, Brazilian compositions, folk music, and the classics. Drummer James Martin nicely covers the variety of rhythms in the program. Bassist Don Wilmer, of Miami, is one of the rare symphony musicians capable of first rate jazz. Much of the program has a Blanton – Ellington feel, rather than the usual piano-with-rhythm.

Eddie Higgins is a quiet musician. His playing is never flamboyant and never exceeds the boundaries of good taste. The music coming out of his piano is reflective, exuding a feeling of relaxation, contemplation, and intimate beauty. This is not to say that his playing is so spare as to lack emotion. It’s there, not thrown in the face of the listener. Like the playing, the listener must be attentive. This pianistic attitude is the artistic basis for his third album for the Sunnyside label. Filled with songs that are a steady part of the Higgins repertoire, the play list has representatives from the book of classic popular standards, Brazilian, and short classical pieces. That this serious stuff is seen by the fact that bass player Don Wilner spends a significant amount of time using the bow. This creates a chamber jazz atmosphere on such tunes as “Danny Boy.” Wilner’s importance to this session is set right at the outset with his sparkling plucked solo on “Lullaby of the Leaves.” An album highlight is a rapturous Higgins piano on a lightly Brazilian rhythm medley of “The Dolphin” and “Someone to Light up My Life.” Even on this tempo, Higgins does not go overboard with a heavy percussive presence assuring that the melody, not the rhythm, stays in the limelight. Higgins accompanies his wife, singer Meredith D’Ambrosio. Thus he is familiar with the lyrics which gives him a much better feel for the meaning of the music. His right hand on “What Is This Thing Called Love” is akin to a singer’s scatting on this up-tempo arrangement. For creative subtlety applied to an agenda of interesting music, this album will be a smart addition to any jazz library. Recommended.

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2 min read

SACD

Eddie Higgins Trio – If Dreams Come True (2004) [Japan 2014] [SACD / Venus Records – VHGD-32]

adminNovember 2, 2025 156 Views

Title: Eddie Higgins Trio – If Dreams Come True (2004) [Japan 2014]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Through his numerous releases from Venus Records, Eddie Higgins has firmly established his position as one of the most celebrated jazz pianists in Japan. On If Dreams Come True, Eddie Higgins performs with his trio consisting of Jay Leonhart on bass and Joe Ascione on drums.

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1 min read

SACD

Eddie Higgins Trio – Haunted Heart (1997) [Japan 2000] [SACD / Venus Records – TKGV-7]

adminNovember 2, 2025 170 Views

Title: Eddie Higgins Trio – Haunted Heart (1997) [Japan 2000]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

This is a haunted, introspective album of piano-trio jazz very much indebted to Bill Evans and, to a lesser extent, George Shearing. Veteran Eddie Higgins mostly serves up standards from the Great American Songbook in a tasteful, unshowy, often gently swinging way, harmonically locked into the mainstream, occasionally throwing in a gentle quote for humor’s sake.

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1 min read