Eoin Shannon – Every Drunk’s Gotta Story (Album Review)

Today’s review features the new album by Eoin Shannon, “Every Drunk’s Gotta Story.” Eoin is an Ireland/Cork based singer/songwriter. We have previously reviewed Eoin’s other work, which you can read here.

Eoin always surrounds himself with very talented musicians, and this album is no different. The album features: Andy Warner(There’s a Storm Coming, Jezebel), Matias Corti Mizrahi and Artem Litovchenko (Ghosts of Yesterday), Tom Savage (Sweetheart Candy Lovin, Love Isn’t for Everybody), Craig John (Free My Soul, Bartender, Pull Up a Stool, Puppetmaster, Game Night in Hell), Andrei Sorokin (Last Cal for the Broken hearted), Hugo Lee (Love Isn’t for Everybody, Bartender), and Sarah Edgecombe (Pour Me Some Unconditional Love). Phil Madeira helped co-write the song Let’s Get the Hell Outta Town. Eoin wrote the lyrics for all songs on the new album.

Mixing and mastering were collaborative efforts by Avri Music, Craig Smith, Andy Warner, Jordan Stoffel, and Pete Maher. Backing Vocals were provided by Connie Rout (There’s a Storm Coming, Bartender, Love Isn’t for Everybody), Sarah Siki, Deborah (Free My Soul, Last Call for the Brokenhearted), Tom Savage (Puppetmaster), Theia (Pull Up a Stool), Gaby Duboisjoli (Pour Me Some Unconditional Love), Pilar (Ghosts of Yesterday), Lisa Graham (Let’s Get the Hell Outta Town), and Rocio (Jezebel).

So let’s have a listen …

The first song on the album is Sweetheart Candy Lovin. The song starts with a repeated guitar riff, drums and bass join in. Eoin’s Celtic voice enters the fray. This song reminds me of old-style Chicago blues. It’s a shuffle. Loving the electric guitar lead solo between the vocal verses.

Game Night in Hell kicks off with a piano solo. Then Eoin’s voice and the full-band kick in. Eoin’s raspy voice sounds like a drone in this song. I’m hearing strings come in after the first verses. The blend of piano and strings is heavenly. The strings definitely add a majestic feel to this song.

Bartender starts with a slow piano vamp. Eoin’s raspy voice is mixed loudly in this song. As is the female duet singer’s voice. The piano is the star of the show on this song as it weaves between two competing vocals. In the bridge, a sax carries the melodies. Both singers join in for the finish.

Puppetmaster starts off with the whole band, including a Hammond B-3 organ. The song has a very bouncy feel, like a jazz number. Loving the lyrics on this one, very clever. Loving the laughs in the middle of the song! Eoin’s vocals get doubled after the middle bridge, which is quite effective.

Pull Up a Stool starts off with a lovely piano vamp. Eoin comes in singing a heartfelt song. The female backing vocals and full band eventually join in. The lyrics of this song are lovely. Ending with “you make me feel at home.”

Free My Soul features a strange stringed instrument opening the song. The female backing vocals are the star of this song. Eventually, strings join in. I’m loving the complex chord structure of this song.

Jezebel features a sax duelling it out with a piano at the beginning of the song. The male and female singers join in. Loving the bass line on this song. The song is very much old-school jazz. The song is about losing one’s love, or was it love at all? He sings, “I lost my fortune to a Jezebel.”

Let’s Get the Hell Outta Town starts off with a heavy piano. Very patriotic-sounding song. The song is a bit of an anthem. There is no other instrumentation other than the piano. The backing vocals are nicely done. The song structure is like an old-school gospel or church song, but the lyrics are about telling your sweetheart, “Honey, let’s get the hell outta town.”

Ghosts of Yesterday starts off with a somber-sounding lonely piano, joined by a cello or viola. The strings sound majestic against the minor chord riff. “I’ve got ghosts of love.” “To all my dreams, they have full control.” Very jazzy-sounding piece.

Love Isn’t for Everybody kicks off with a sultry sax solo. Loving the rhythm guitar vamping along in the mix. The drums stand out on this tune. Simple bass-line. The female backing vocals could be a hair louder in the mix. The sax is definitely the star of this song – carrying emotion in every note.

There’s a Storm Coming starts with a slow descending minor blues riff. Loving the sultry sax vibe in this song. I love the songwriting here. Very jazz-influenced and tasty chord arrangements. Best song on the album.

Pour Me Some Unconditional Love starts with drums and a salt shaker against a rising piano vamp. The female vocals definitely help Eoin’s deeper male voice sound more interesting. Interesting songwriting. Loving the piano solo. Very ethereal and majestic string parts fill out this tune.

Last Call for the Broken Hearted starts off with Eoin against an acoustic guitar, then a female vocalist joins in. There’s a very deep cello or bass that stands out in the mix. I like how the female vocalist is singing the lyrics in unison with Eoin. A very pleasant ending to a fantastic new album.

SCORE/Excellent: Eoin Shannon, known for his Celtic music, releases a jaw-dropping old-school jazz album full of excellent performances, songwriting, and production. If you like old-school crooner jazz, this album might be your ticket. Pick it up and have a listen! Much love, Beth

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