Mama Kin - Beat and Holler (Album)
» Andy Bull - Troubadour, The, QLD - October 25, 2008
» Mama Kin Cartwheels Herself Across the Country - February 2, 2010
The lyrical pace of ‘Beat and Holler’ from Mama Kin aka Danielle Caruana draws on personal experiences and relationships- like her many female singer/songwriter contemporaries, with an honest narrative. Supported by her big brother Michael on the rhythm section you can hear they are both big fans of Doctor John, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin.
The first single ‘Tore My Heart Out’, is a fine piano ballad showcasing soulful vocal range and raw hurt in such a manner that first time listeners can respond to. ‘I'm Gonna Do It’ - calls on a Fiona Apple power beat which you can dance to. The current single ‘To My Table’- keeps on giving with a Jazzy beat line and just has a sense of fun. Listening to the whole album is a sonic feast. However even though I appreciate the story behind the ballad, ‘Bitter Tears’ I find it overly sentimental and over done.
What makes Mama Kin a standout is her feisty yet sultry vocal delivery - likened to Nina Simone, combined with the swampy blues base line and a hint of ethnic Latin rhythms and African percussion. The Mama Kin clan use beats, clapping along, high spirited hollers and tapping on an Udu, a Nigerian jug instrument, and a Cajon box drum to move the songs along. The instrumental variety also provides a point of interest for their live shows where they have developed their own take on a bluesy New Orleans sound.
Some might suspect this album to be an ego side project for the Maltese-Australian singer produced by Tony Buchan. However, I assure you that the lady has the musical chops to set her apart from her better half Mr John Butler. Hopefully this experience will continue to develop the storytelling from within for this artist.
