The Cowsills – Global
I can’t believe the pop vocal Top 40 Newport, RI family group I grew up with (“The Rain, the Park & Other Things”) in the 60s morphed into this superb Americana swing band. Anyone who doubts the sentiment must absorb a song like “What About Love?” or “I Be Low.”
Four Cowsills are wrapped around these melodies. The musicianship is more powerful than Abba. Now, Abba was a great formation with terrific vocals even though most of their songs were pop music with catchy hooks. But it worked.
But, The Cowsills have an edge. These songs have musical personality with tone & taste from 1998. Susan Cowsill recorded several fine LPs with The Continental Drifters, but this is a homecoming effort.
“Under the Gun” has a Byrds-like chiming guitar with a linear thrust. The sound nibbles at the articulate arrangement & they do it also on “What I Believe.” This would be the equivalent of Abba if they became an FM rock station band instead of a top 40 conglomerate.
The original Global LP was recorded in CA & produced by Bob Cowsill (guitars/vocals/lead guitar/bass/keys). Eleven cuts with 3 bonus tracks benefit Global (Drops Nov 8/Omnivore Recordings/51:48).
With “She Said To Me,” an older listener would think the band was covering an obscure Beatles song. Every piece is decorously attired. It rocks with melody. It’s rootsy, mainstream & fresh & it encapsulates the essence of their music as an uplifting tonic.
None of the tunes suffer from cheesy deficiencies. The varied voices keep the set precise as spark plugs fire off. “You’ve Got No Time,” is filled with penetrating guitars. This is no longer a pop band with sweet macaroon songs. They’re a box of pastries with cream & brandy. “Cross That Line,” finds them slide into a superlative Kansas-like vocal pulse (“Carry On Wayward Son”).
I afforded myself the luxury to listen on headphones & drifted into a world where the human voice is magical. The Cowsills have this hocus pocus. And like The Beach Boys their voices mix with an elaborate & gratifying tonality. Sample “Some Good Years.”
“Rescue,” “Free Fall” & “Shine” are raw & energetic with aggressive vocals & guitars. This is one of the best releases to rediscover this year.
Highlights – “What About Love?” “Under the Gun,” “She Said To Me,” “You’ve Got No Time,” “Cross That Line,” “What I Believe,” “I Be Low,” “Rescue,” “Some Good Years,” “Free Fall” & “Shine.”
Musicians – Robby Scharf (bass), John Cowsill (guitars/vocals/percussion), Paul Cowsill (keys/vocals), Susan Cowsill (vocals/guitar/electric guitar) with Berton Averre & Bobby Gianetti (lead guitars), Vicki Peterson (harmony), Peter Holsapple (mandolin), John Stamos & Cecil Duke (congas), Gary Griffin (keys) & Mary Jo Cowsill (vocals/bgv).
Trio image by Cezanne Nails & The Cowsills. The reissue was produced by The Cowsills & Brad Rosenberger. A 12pp stitched liner note insert is included. CD @ Apple Music &
Amazon + https://cowsill.com/home/2024/10/global-is-back/ & https://omnivorerecordings.com/shop/global/
