Andy Cohen With Moira Meltzer-Cohen — Small But Mighty Songs For Growing People

Andy Cohen is a virtuoso finger-style guitarist who grew up with a piano and lots of Dixieland Jazz Records. The Sixties Folk Revival got him hooked on the music of Big Bill Broonzy and the Jim Kweskin Jug Band and Cohen now has more than a dozen recordings to his name. One of his latest offerings ‘Small But Mighty – Songs For Growing People’ is a collaborative effort with his daughter Moira Meltzer-Cohen who not only sings on the record but also came up with the title.

Opener ‘Boob-I-Lak’ is about a bird complete with rolling acoustic guitar and is a pleasant introduction. The guitar tone on ‘The Brand New Baby’ is well-executed and the European sounding ‘Mon Petit Chien’ makes you think of Paris with the accordion backing.

‘Uncle Stinky’ tells the tale of a man who has issues with odour but it sounds so serious in its delivery that the quirky lyrics humour seems to miss this scribe. ‘Chicken’ is pure acoustic blues whilst Moira Meltzer-Cohen’s lead vocal on ‘Gravy Waltz’ suits the lyrics perfectly. ‘Talkin’ Casey’ is originally written by Mississippi John Hurt and cleverly deals with the theme of loss and the percussive ‘West Coast Blues’ is a highlight that will get children on their feet. ‘Funnel Cakes’ is a heart-warming duet from father and daughter and a welcome addition.

In conclusion, whilst I am well-aware that I am not the target audience for this album but I do feel that they have met the intention of the project, which is to talk substantively to kids without talking down to them and that is no easy feat.

Andy Cohen With Moira Meltzer-Cohen’s new album ‘Small But Mighty – Songs For Growing People’ is out now on Earwig Music. For more information visit www.andycohenmusic.com