Eva Carboni – Blues Siren
Mad Ears Productions – 2024
13 tracks; 52 minutes
Eva Carboni is an Italian vocalist who trained with vocal coaches in the USA and has now released three albums with British producer Andy Littlewood. Andy had a hand in writing all the songs, writing seven himself, working with Eva on three and with Marian Zima, Mick Simpson and Vic Martin on the other three. Recorded, mixed and mastered at Doncaster in the UK, Andy handles guitar, bass and occasional keys, Vic Martin is the main keyboardist and Pete Nelson is on drums; Mick Simpson plays lead guitar on four cuts, Chris Booth and Rene Lacko on a track each and horns are added to one track by “The MEP Collective”.
The steady ‘chug’ of guitar and keys places opener “Walking A Tightrope” firmly in the Blues-Rock category, Eva’s clear vocals having just the slightest of accents as she sings of the difficulties in maintaining relationships. The pace drops for the blues ballad “Slow Road To Redemption”, Mick Simpson adding a delicate solo, before Eva gives us “Another Blues Song”, a sultry vocal on a slow, rolling blues, well supported by the horns with short trombone and sax features; this track is so effective that it makes you regret that it is the only appearance of the anonymous horn players! “Meant To Be” has a late night, jazzy feel, convincingly sung by Eva over sparse accompaniment.
Eva’s three writing contributions come on tracks 5,6 and 8. The title track “Blues Siren” starts with Eva singing over simple acoustic guitar before building nicely with keys and slide guitar encouraging her to hit some high notes. “Wrong Place, Wrong Time” has a slightly distorted vocal over work song rhythms, taking us down to the Delta, the moody slide work adding to that vibe. “In The Streets Of London” has an anthemic feel, Eva contemplating her memories, feeling that here “I can walk with my head held high”. Placed between Eva’s three songs is a return to Blues-Rock with “Don’t Get In My Way”, Andy providing a core riff straight from the Led Zep playbook.
The remaining five tunes are all at the quieter end of the spectrum. “I’ve Paid My Dues” has good vocals and some delicate lead lines from Chris Booth and the next one is in similar vein, Eva attempting to shield her lover from the hard truths by covering things with “Little White Lies”. “Alive And Breathing” has powerful vocals and some striking guitar from guest Rene Lacko. Mick Simpson returns on guitar for his own co-write, the ballad “You Gotta Change” and stays onboard for the final track, the bluesy and melodic “Falling Apart Again”.
Eva has a good vocal style and adapts to the material well. Apart from two Blues-Rock numbers the album is dominated by slower material with some blues and jazz influences alongside melodic pop. A very listenable album, but not one for the blues purists.
