Still Or Sparkling? EP by John Douglas from Trash Can Sinatras came out in November. It's two new songs and two covers and is recorded with most of his wife Eddie Readers band, she also plays accordion and provides backing vocals alongside Boo Hewerdine, Alan Kelly and Kevin McGuire and has the feel of folk musicians sitting in a pub having a session, but without the clinking of glasses and was all recorded with no overdubs.
The ep opens with the sparse title track Still Or Sparkling that is almost a chat up routine, but so barely there in places, John carefully asks questions of his new infatuation, he hopes to get the right answers, slow strummed acoustic guitar and accordion trying to find out if your Still Or Sparkling for him.
Lost (Band Version) has feelings of isolation, being adrift, over sparse hushed backing, Eddie Readers gentle harmony backing vocals have a mournful edge.
The second half of the EP features two well chosen covers the first is Van Morrisons Across The Bridge Where Angels Dwell a touch on the morose side, vocals shared with Eddie Reader have an almost hymnal feel for Van's almost lullaby taking us down to the fields of wonder.
The EP closes with a cover of Tom Waits Johnsburgh, Illinois obviously John's vocals go in a less gruff direction than Tom's, Eddie's Accordion expresses much emotion, like Tom had when he wrote for his then new wife.
Find out more at https://johndouglas.bandcamp.com/album/still-or-sparkling-ep-2024 https://www.facebook.com/thetrashcansinatras
