Make No Bones

You could think of this as John Kirkpatrick's English album, but that would simply be doing a disservice to so many that he's released before. But with a song about St. George, who also features on the CD cover, you have to wonder if he's making a bit of a point about England, especially when he includes "The Farmers and the Cow," a cautionary tale of agriculture and litigation. This double CD replicates his live set, completely solo, a mix of tunes -- original and traditional -- and songs ranging from the hilarious "I Wanna Go Twang" to children's ballads. He's a masterful musician, putting a real physical presence into his accordion playing, and he can really push a tune along in cracking fashion. His singing not be on a par, but he can still present a song convincingly, whether it's a take on "Lord Bateman," "The Wild, Wild Berry," or "Nelson's Death and Victory." If you know Kirkpatrick's work, then you have a good idea what to expect here, even stripped right down as Make No Bones presents it. If you don't, then this is a good way to be introduced to a real folk master. ~ Chris Nickson|