Vicki Peterson & John Cowsill – Long After the Fire
This showcase gets off rollicking with a bit of The Del-Lords, Blasters, Bo Deans & Dave Alvin style sewn through the duo’s melodic runs. It begins with John Cowsill on “Fool Is The Last One To Know.” Many songs were written by John’s late brothers, Bill & Barry Cowsill.
The 12-track debut Long After the Fire (Drops April 12/Label 51/42:01) was produced by Paul Allen (electric, baritone & acoustic guitars/bass/keys/percussion/drums/bgv) in CA. So, for the unfamiliar, John Cowsill is a former member of The Cowsills (a singing family who recorded several hits for MGM in the 60s). Later, he became a touring drummer for The Beach Boys. Vicki Peterson was a guitarist/vocalist with The Bangles who had hits in the early 80s.
More country-inspired is “Vagabond,” which retains a strong Dave Alvin style with a nice pedal steel guitar that adds flavor. Vicki’s first vocal comes with “Come To Me,” — a strong country-pop tune with a rolling floor tom-tom thrust — typical of country music pre-Beatles. The male backup vocals provide muscle in an otherwise poignant pop tune. Peterson has a disciplined country tone that doesn’t have that juvenile range but a far more authoritative one. The song concludes with purpose & sufficient rock energy with a striking lead guitar.
The songs can miraculously come across nostalgic with a masterful Cowsills pop magic when John swings into a song like “Sound On Sound.” Especially for older ears that remember the pop hits of The Cowsills in the ’60s. I do. The song features a worthy scream toward the end that even Lee Michaels would appreciate.
Dipped in the C&W tradition, the duo sings in unison on “A Thousand Times.” It’s good. To my ears it has a little Bakersfield Buck Owens style going on rather than Nashville. Old-fashioned? Sure, but in capable hands it’s rich. They keep all the vittles on their forks. A bang-up job.
Then there’s something more Del Shannon/Traveling Wilburys. A rocker, with an infectious guitar riff on “Downtown.” I can’t say John & Vicki are an unlikely pair – not after hearing what a Led Zeppelin singer (Robert Plant) accomplished with a bluegrass fiddle player (Allison Krauss). Now that pairing was a surprise that worked. And so are John & Vicki.
Highlights – “Fool Is The Last One To Know,” “Vagabond,” “Come To Me,” Is Anybody Here,” “Sound On Sound,” “You In My Mind,” “A Thousand Times,” & “Downtown.”
Musicians – Vicki Peterson (electric guitar/bass/vocals/mandolin/harmony), John Cowsill (drums/vocals/harmony/keys/percussion/harmonica), Dave Pearlman (pedal steel guitar), Jimmy Calire (keys) & Will Cowsill (bgv).
CD cover photo courtesy of Henry Diltz. CD @ Amazon & https://label51recordings.com/vicki-peterson-and-john-cowsill/ & https://www.vickipetersonandjohncowsill.com/
Enjoy our interview here: Key to the Highway: Vicki Peterson (The Bangles) and John Cowsill
