PASCAL's KEVIN COYNE HOME PAGE

Mojo, Dec 05

One Day In Chicago ****
  
Typically skewed- yet - touching swansong from underated Derby troubadour.
  
That kevin Coyne died as this 'comeback' album was being mixed lends a sad, final twist to the droll socialworker - turned - singer-songwriter's disjointed biography. Very nearly Jim Morrison's replacement in the Doors, Coyne's career was dogged by wilfulness and alcoholism - though he issued 30 albums. He recorded for increasingly obscure labels since his relocation to Germany in the 90's; One Night In Chicago might have finally rejuvenated his profile. Recorded in one 15 hour day with ex-Mekon John Langford, its 11 breezy essays marry wry country pastiche to gruff blues and slanted folk-rock; their lyrics made up on the spot by what was still one of the sharpest of minds. Indeed, Coyne's ability to flip between ingenuous love song (Over Land And Sea) and scabrous satire (Money Like Water; "I'm not penniless, I'm happy!") while investing words like "greengrocer" and "crinolines" with ineffable poignnancy - remained peerless to the end
  
David Sheppard  
  
 PASCAL's KEVIN COYNE HOME PAGE