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The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys

I think that sometimes even sites like Ondarock can make mistakes. For example, how can one justify the 4.5 rating given to this album? An attack of malice? Superficial listening? I don't know, but I can certainly say that for me, "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" goes beyond adequacy, although it doesn't reach the supreme level of "John Barleycorn Must Die."

One thing must be said: there is a drop in inspiration: in fact, the album succeeds halfway, with three excellent songs and three clearly tired tracks. Moreover, soul jazz takes precedence over folk, with results that are often not too exciting. But if we thoroughly examine the album, we can identify its strengths and weaknesses.

The beginning is wonderful: "Hidden Treasure" recalls the acoustic atmospheres of "John Barleycorn Must Die" (the track), with the energy of "Freedom Rider." The flute dominates the other instruments, the folk-soul guitar is perfect, and the track is one of the most successful on the album. Even the long title track, in the realm of soul, is suggestive. The track, although it gets a bit lost in the chorus, has a fantastic instrumental coda based on two chords. But from this moment, the album declines: "Rock and Roll Stew" attempts the "hard" path, but lacks bite and resembles more a country song (a genre I don't appreciate); while "Many a Mile to Freedom" is a pale imitation of "Empty Pages," cloying and a bit boring (it lasts about 7 minutes). "Light up or Leave Me Alone," on the other hand, just can’t get into my head.

Thankfully, the finale is entrusted to "Rainmaker": tribal rhythm, a nice flute riff, final guitar solo for 7 minutes of great music. In the end, we are certainly not ecstatic, but we don't feel like we've just left a Gigi D'Alessio concert either. In short, it is clear to us that a 4.5 for this album is at least ungenerous, especially if we consider the various 7 ratings given to the latest of Madonna and various trash.

Rating: 7