BEM Records artist: Eamonn McCormack - Storyteller - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Storyteller, from Irish blues-rock sensation, Eamonn McCormack and it touches on many faces of european rock. Opening with The Great Famine, a folky rock tune with atmospheric backing and tight rock guitar riffs, Eamonn (pronounced A-min) McCormack  leads on vocal and guitar, backed by Edgar Karg on bass, Max Jung-Poppe on drumsand Arne Weigand on keys. Sounding a bit like David Bowie with the Beatles, Help Me To Understand is a sool, low key rocker with a solid bass line by Karg and powerful vocals by Eamonn. Jacking up the rock side of the business, Tie One On sounds like it's heavily influenced by Thin Lizzy with it's snappy drum rhythm and super Rory Gallagher like slide work. Very cool. One of my favorite tracks on the release is hard driving, Cowboy Blues, with it's tight bottom and slashing slide work. Very cool. On blues ballad, In A Dream, McCormack is up front on vocal with solid support from Weigand on organ and long, melodic guitar lead giving the track broad crowd appeal. Another of my favorites on the release s straight up rocker, With No Way Out. Tight drumming and a driving bass line is the secret here with simple straight ahead rhythm. Cold Cold Heart has a lot of swagger with a solid walking bass line, creative vocal presentation and rowdy guitar work. Very cool. Wrapping the release is tight rocker, Make My Move, with high energy drums, a thumping bass and soaring roffs complimenting McCormack's vocal work. This is a diverse release with some real cool rock onboard. 

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Eamonn McCormack

Eamonn was born in the center of Dublin, the capital city of Ireland and was raised on a North side Suburb. He started out on the acoustic guitar at nine years of age. Earliest influences included Slade, Cat Stevens, Neil Young and Rory Gallagher. By twelve he was singing along with his guitar and performing at church folk masses. Soon, finding the church music somewhat restricting the young teenager acquired his first electric guitar (a Guild Starfire) progressed to lead guitar and joined a local garage cover band prior to playing his first paid gig. By now influences extending to Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Thin Lizzy and Dutch group Focus. At sixteen Eamonn performed live on a national Irish radio show. Around this time he also won a major high school competition performing his own material. After a short stint playing in various bands throughout Ireland, Eamonn headed off to the U.S.A. where he performed extensively. There he broadened his musical horizons, gained vital stage experience and absorbed fresh American music and cultural influences. This blended together nicely with his earlier influences. Returning to Ireland after four years traveling and performing in the States Eamonn was by now developing a very unique sound and style all of his own. This style was solidified whilst Eamonn performed extensively under the stage name “Samuel Eddy” establishing himself across Europe, the hard way, through a grueling tour schedule. Samuel Eddy and his band were rewarded for their efforts as they garnered the reputation of Major European Music Festival Favorites. Eamonn as Samuel Eddy signed with Universe Productions/Virgin Records and SPV records worldwide. Recorded three critically acclaimed studio albums that sold very well confirming that an exciting young up and coming World Class Guitarist was emerging out of Ireland. Throughout the Nineties also saw a young Eamonn play, tour and record with many of his earliest guitar influences such as Rory Gallagher, Johnny Winter, Jan Akkerman (ex. Focus ) and Nils Lofgren. Another highlight of this period was Eamonn and his Bands unforgettable performance at the Parkpop festival in Holland to an audience of around a half a million people, sharing the bill with Robert Plant and more. Eamonn also got to play the prestige Rockpalast in Germany, which was televised and broadcast right across Europe. Eamonn and his band have been described by the press as “A Modern Day Power Trio” and that is something that has not changed to this day. His performances both live and in the studio are a force to be reckoned with. Early 2002 Eamonn toured in Europe with Californian Blues-rock guitar ace Walter Trout and New York guitar slinger Popa Chubby as well as recording 8 new tracks engineered by Paul Thomas ( U2, Phil Lynott ) in Dublin before finishing the year successfully with a blinding show opening for the legendary ZZ Top in Amsterdam. After the Amsterdam concert Eamonn decided to take a break from the road, travel the world, write some new material, jammed with various artistes in the USA and back home set up the successful Indie record label True Talent Records developing young Irish Rock talent such as Leanne Harte and Glyder. On True Talent Records Eamonn decided to release a best of album; mainly of Samuel Eddy tracks featuring previously released re-mastered and some newer un-released songs. He also decided to drop his old stage name and revert to his real name Eamonn McCormack. Enter the surprise worldwide success of “Kindred Spirits” featuring tracks with special guests Rory Gallagher, Jan Akkerman, Herman Brood and Keith Donald. Following the success of “Kindred Spirits” (which by 2009 had put an end to his almost eight year hiatus from the road) returned to the road full time and is fast establishing his profile as one of the finest Bluesrock performers on the Worlld bluesrock circuit. 2011 saw Eamonn, now one of Ireland’s finest guitarists sign a worldwide 4 album, 2 DVD record deal with In Akustik Records and a new album recorded live in Tool House Studios, Germany titled: “Heal My Faith” released on Feb. 17th 2012 in Europe & Japan. USA release 8th May. Yet again using the tried and tested power trio format Eamonn is backed by the top rhythm section consisting of Marc – Inti on bass and Josef Kirschgen on the drums. Some summer festivals this year will see Eamonn joined on stage by the legendary guitarist Brian “Robbo” Robertson (Thin Lizzy, Motorhead, Wild Horses). Eamonn is a true artiste, a master of his craft who always performs with that heart-felt passion synonymous with true Irish music legends in the making…

If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, -  ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!