Helen McCookerybook - Poetry and Rhyme

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 17 / 1 / 2009

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'Poetry and Rhyme' is the second solo album from Helen McCookerybook, who has returned to the music business after a long absence. On this collection she is joined by Martin Stephenson and also Gina Birch from the Raincoats. Originally hailing from Brighton, Helen was the bass player for the Chefs from 1978 to 1981, before fronting yet another favourite band of John Peel's, Helen and the Horns. 'Poetry and Rhyme' is a fine album, if a little monotonous. It opens with 'The Properties of Chalk and Sand', which has a crisp vocal and a well- picked guitar style that is like that of early Billy Bragg. Added cello gives it a little more depth. 'Butterfly' has a gentle vocal and some finely strummed guitar. It is very short and to the point. 'A Bad Day' has a choir added to it, while 'A New Day' features perky guitar and a jazz backing 'I Feel It' is simple in approach and sound. 'January in Paris' is a quiet, moody number, while the title track is upbeat and features a cello. 'Rock 'n' Romance' has a 50's beat to it and is again very short. 'Screaming' is a country number, while 'Dreaming Narcissus' is a slow based number with a strong rhythm. 'Memento Mori' is pure country barn country fayre and features a fiddle. 'Sulkworm' is very smooth and, unlike the rest of the album featuring keyboards, brings album to a strong conclusion.

Track Listing:-

1 The Properties Of Chalk And Sun
2 Butterfly
3 A Bad Day
4 A New Day
5 I Feel It
6 January In Paris
7 Poetry And Rhyme
8 Rock 'n' Romance
9 Screaming
10 Dreaming Of Narrcissus
11 Memento Mori
12 Sulkworm

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