Amongst other things, 2010 will be remembered as a prolific year by the fans, friends and family of veteran bass guitarist PATRICK CORNELL.
Incredibly, 'Wrecking Ball' is Cornell's ninth release of the year, eight singles the one-time Blues Brother has been issuing on a monthly basis since April
The nomadic session man is ably assisted by a seven-strong backing gang, in addition to a core collective that utilises the likes of Paul Reeves and Bob Britt(acoustic and electric guitars respectively), bass-player Dave Roe and percussionist Rick Lanow. whilst other guests on this 36-minute album include pianist Chris James and cellist Jonah Kraut, with backing vocals provided by Lindsi Weaver.
Recorded at Johnny Cash's famous 'Cash Cabin' studio, 'Wrecking Ball' essentially adheres to a straight-up country music policy. O.K. there's no lap steel - but this is counterbalanced by Cornell's middle-of-the-road vocals and tracks like the definitively-titled 'Even Cowboys Change'.
However, Cornell's honky-tonk vision often comes with an additional Prozac pop tint that makes songs chime and jangle thanks to frequently lovely licks and big guitar solos.
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OK, so I've got the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, but nonetheless, the opener 'Bella Donna' and the bouncing, hook-laden 'Living For Yesterday' both sound like dead-cert single releases, as does the more understated '80's-style 'I Won't Crawl Back'. By comparison, the cello-fuelled, tremelo-warped title track is haunting and melancholy.
The album hits a peak with the chorus pedal/piano fuelled ode 'Tom Petty Song and a Cigarette', one of the two songs featured twice thanks to acoustic versions, before the radio edit of 'Living For Yesterday' eventually proves conclusive.
'Wrecking Ball' offers fans of Cornell's music the opportunity to catch up on any of the singles they might have missed since April; but non-fans take note: collectively heard, these individually released songs make for a solid and consistent long-player.
Patrick Cornell website
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