Various - Party for Joey: A Sweet Relief Tribute to Joey Spampinato

  by Steve Kinrade

published: 23 / 8 / 2021

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Review

The obvious drawback with social media is that it emphasises the tendency to be attracted to like minded people. I suppose that it is human nature, branded into our DNA as it tends to suggest safety in numbers. However, the creation of echo-chambers do little for expanding the mind, to suggest other view points and possibilities, to broaden one’s education. Therefore, it is good once a while to delve into a subject that you have never come across before. But it’s a gamble, as it could be time wasted ratherthan well spent. But to discover the talent that is Joey Spampinato? Time well spent. This multi-instrumentalist was born in the Bronx, New York, and was one of the chief song-writers for the highly acclaimed combo NRBQ. Highly acknowledged amongst his peers, his bass playing graced the albums of the likes of Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt and old Keef himself. So when now he has fallen on hard times, Spampinato’s chums have repaid their admiration and loyalty to their maestro, covering fourteen of his songs with love and affection. This selection of songs show that Spampinato could write, going from the straightforward rocker of 'You Can't Hide' to the bluegrass tinged Chores, which you could easily imagine Levon Helm drawling to an eager audience. Proceedings kick off in a sprightly fashion with fellow NRBQ band member Al Anderson's rendition of 'You Can’t Hide', Deer Ticks' 'That I Get back Home' has a lovely laid-back feel above an insistent groove. Penn and Teller bring their idiosyncratic slant to 'Plenty of Somethin’ but its Robbie Fulks' appraisal of 'Chores' which is worth the price of the album on its own. So give this compilation your sweet attention. Not only will you discover one of the unsung greats, plus some other great artistes, but all monies go to the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, a charity set up to offer aid and support to musicians who have fallen on hard times. It's nice to know that there are people looking out for those who give so much of themselves for their art.

Track Listing:-

1 Al Anderson - You Can't Hide
2 Los Lobos - Every Boy, Every Girl
3 Deer Tick - That I Get Back Home
4 Ben Harper - Like A Locomotive
5 Peter Case - Don't Knock At My Door
6 She & Him - How Can I Make You Love Me
7 The Minus 5 - Don't She Look Good
8 Steve Forbert - Beverly
9 Buddy Miller - How Will I Know
10 Bonnie Raitt - Green Lights
11 Robbie Fulks - Chores
12 . Penn & Teller - Plenty of Somethin'
13 The Nils - That's Alright
14 Kami Lyle - First Crush

Label Links:-

http://truenorthrecords.com/
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http://truenorthrecords.tumblr.com/
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