Jack & Amanda Palmer – You Got Me Singing – Album Review

Amanda Palmer did not see much of her father during her childhood. Her parents separated when she was still a small child and she only saw him intermittently from that point on. He was always interested in singing and even sang in his local choir in Washington DC. A few years ago, he joined his daughter on stage to sing a rendition of a Leonard Cohen song. That was the genesis of this album of cover versions of a variety of artist they both admire.

Jack Palmer is no light weight in this duo. He has a deep and sonorous voice. Johnny Cash would be the obvious and lazy comparison, so that’s what I’m going for! The songs are stripped down, with simple arrangements and heavily reliant on the vocals. They are largely guitar and vocal tracks, with the odd accompaniment of piano and other instruments.

The song choice is also interesting, with tracks obviously chosen by both parties, some with a modern slant such as Glacier by John Grant and All I Could Do by Kimya Dawson. There are also a number of older tunes such as the title track, You Got Me Singing by Leonard Cohen and 1952 Vincent Black Lightning by Richard Thompson. There are no obvious choices amongst the selection and they are not even stand out tracks amongst the artist’s own repertoire. Kudos for picking Sinead O’Connor’s Black Boys on Mopeds, a much under rated song!

A definite contender for freakiest album cover of the year, if nothing else. It looks like Jack may whisk the child away to the Goblin King, while Mummy is too drunk to notice! Not an album that will win Amanda many new fans, but those that like what she does will no doubt like this. There is a warmth to the album, and the simplicity of the production gives it an original twist.

Track Listing:
1. You Got Me Singing (Leonard Cohen)
2. Wynken, Blynken and Nod (Lucy & Carly Simon)
3. Again (Melanie)
4. 1952 Vincent Black Lightning (Richard Thompson)
5. Louise Was Not Half Bad (Tom T Hall)
6. Black Boys on Mopeds (Sinead O’Connor)
7. All I Could Do (Kimya Dawson)
8. In The Heat of the Summer (Phil Ochs)
9. Pink Emerson Radio (Kathleen Edwards)
10. Skye Boat Song (traditional)
11. Glacier (John Grant)
12. I Love You So Much (Noah Britton)