Here are a few reviews from the region that we did not have to pay for:
Review from Incendiary Magazine Online (a Dutch Magazine/web site) 24/7/2009
There are a number of towns that would like to lay claim to being the music capital of the British Isles, but Hull isn’t one of them. That’s not to say that there hasn’t been some good music to come out of Hull, because there has. Take the Housemartins for example and, well that’s about it really. Well, now Moonshine Crows are trying to put Hull back on the map for people other than truck drivers heading for the ferry port and those trying to get a good look to see if Phil Brown’s tan is real or not. They’re trying hard too, they’ve even got a kazoo. Let’s face it, there just isn’t enough kazoo on the radio nowadays and chances are, there probably never will be, but at least they’re trying.
It’s kind of hard to fault these guys, especially the bass player – she’s bloody marvelous, but they’re not exactly what you would call the next best thing. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with their playing, the drums and guitar work are very good, especially on their extended jam workouts (of which there are many on this album) and the singer sounds like an American David Gilmour, but the songs seem to float in one ear and out the other. They’re enjoyable while they last, but they’re about as substantial as a bag of prawn crackers.
If you live in England, and in particular around the Hull area, you could do a hell of a lot worse than check these guys out down the local Irish pub, or wherever they can get a gig, because you’re sure to have a bloody good time. The only thing is you probably won’t want to take them home with you at the end of the night.
Words: Damian Leslie
Review from Unpeeled.net 21.7.2009
http://www.unpeeled.net/myspace.html
MOONSHINE CROWS: "Cake Is Done" (Myspace) RELEASED? Out now. SOUNDS LIKE? Pretty much everything The Kills should and want to be. Problem is that Moonshine Crows have been listening to a lot, a whole lot, of Dave Edmunds singles and reading Modesty Blaise in old DC Comics while The Kills have been listening to Kate Moss and reading their own press releases. Guess who will make the break and the money? IS IT ANY GOOD? It's quite slick and imaginative for music played in a self-selected rut. Key word is 'played' because these are people who can play well, unfashionably well. We recommend "Zombie Love" and "Leave My Monkey Alone", both especially moving in these Jacko-less days. WHERE IS IT? www.myspace.com/moonshinecrows
unpeeled@tiscali.co.uk
Sky-Shaving Rock
Moonshine Crows
CAKEISDONE
Kent 'Papa Crow' Mitchell (vocals/guitar), Tracey Beardmore (bass/vocals), and Gareth Winstone (drums) met in 2006, fused their collective talents and myriad US influences – such as the Grateful Dead, Frank Zappa, Neil Young and many more – and launched a sky-shaving comet of free and enterprising rock. Clean shards of rhythm, and occasionally chorused guitar support Kent’s rejuvenating vocals and lyrics, while Tracey and Gareth drive proceedings along with stimulating awareness. Zombie Love sees Link Wray shake hands with the Velvet Underground at a moonlit rendezvous, while Dreams of Reality is clean, dynamic and simply classic. More please.
Musician, the journal of the Musicians Union, Summer 2009
Moonshine crows came down from Hull to play at Old Nicks on Saturday night. They can best be described as a progressive blues band that takes the basis of a song and improvises around it. The benefit of this makes each performance unique and keeps the audience guessing. The songs were a broad mixture of their original repertoire many of which were guitar driven. Kent on the guitar kept the audience spell bound in the second set with his well rounded blues solo’s and kept the humour by introducing melodies played on the Kazoo. Tracey held her own on the bass with blasts of energy executed with pizzazz. Gareth on the drums kept the band solid and showed off his ability in a drum solo which was received well by the audience. Moonshine Crows are truly an original band that can create an atmosphere at any gig which grows as the evening progresses.
OLD NICKS TAVERN NEWSLETTER Issue 20, week ending 15th March 2009-04-17
One of the best jamming bands I've seen. Much love to the Moonshine Crows.
If your reading this, go see them....
KING MOJO OF SHEFFIELD
'Meadows of Light' recalls The Doors and a surreal hazy times of music.
'Zombie Love' offers up a Stoogesesque slice of blues stomping....
SANDMAN MAGAZINE
Storming Alternative Blues....
MUSIC HQ
Sounds good, Proper rock 'n' roll -
THE LAST PEOPLE ON EARTH
Give me some of that rock n roll Daddio. Moonshine Crows floating out blues chords and cheeky bass lines, re-invigorating the tattered glory days of The Band and the Americana folk sound. It’s blues rock of the highest order with snares and cymbals a’crashing all around.
Well, well a new album, where and when? Isn't it about time you sat down for a drink? The beat doesn't let me I'm away with the crazies for this one. Epic and intricate in equal measure with world weary yet wise words from Kent, a voice that has played in many clubs and bars filled to the brim with intoxicating offerings. Tales ensue from a bygone era, that gives you, enough time to sup a pint before the last refrain heralds the end.
Unlikely, but a kazoo joins the clamour for Monkey with backing vocals from Tracey on bass. Underneath the dome of the Polar Bear and the shiny pin prick lights we lay it down easy, and a guitar sound infuses delightfully with the sharp liquor and pours forth another. Gathering strength now, the volume and intensity increases.
Then jolting me once more, body swaying in time to the whisky soaked lyrics a debauch drinking song sprawls out on the floor. So how we going to work that drum sound in from Gareth? He won’t let you forget him. Centre stage he’s got every beat and every trick in the book, yeah he’s good, real good and just then he gives me a look.
