Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Of kings and queens, of dukes, noble people and their trades, and the low born risen to greatness through determination, skill, and endurance, we can see ourselves at some point as all of these when we produce something quite extraordinary, and on the midst of brilliance it has to be acknowledged that conducting the drama of 2023 music release, creating a symphony of his own, Eamonn McCormack stands tall and proud as his self-titled new release sweeps the senses into a collective and watches them coalesce, blend together in one riveting musical experience.

An opening perhaps, a description of taste that might sound overblown, but from the moment that the sound of the occasion hits the air, there is more to the album than might be garnered by the sometimes listener, and for them the involvement is one to be jealous of, for they get to understand the joy revealed for which the others have already been assured of.

An album that has its heart a memory of two of Britain and Ireland’s phenomenal characters, the ever-missed Phil Lynott and Gary Moore, for in the lyrical dreams of Mr. McCormack, for the power imbedded across tracks such as the opener Living Hell, Rock ‘N’ Roll, Living In The Now, the excellent Geronimo, the undeniable truth that bounds out of the blocks in Social Media Blues, and the tremendous finale of The Magic Of Slieve League, is just, is sincere, it is big, bold and beautiful, and whilst we should not hang our admiration to fully on what we might perceive as inspiration, the glory of the recording is such that it cannot be helped, nor faulted.

Eamonn McCormack’s self-titled release is an affirmation of his prowess, known to the familiar, acknowledged by his peers, and cared for by the audience; and as this stylish mood setter leaps and bounds, nuzzles and charms its way to the listener’s appreciation muscle, so the outstanding work can be seen to continue; dark and joyful, modern, exposed, brutally elegant, genius…there is no greater satisfaction that hearing an album by an artist at the top of their game.

Ian D. Hall