Charles Jenkins proved that he could compose a turn of phrase with the best of them with the power pop gold of his band The Ice Cream Hands.
The fine craftsmanship of his songwriting continues on his latest record, Love Your Crooked Neighbour With Your Crooked Heart. Performing with him are his band The Zhivagos. Toss in one Susannah Espie, some horn arrangements (by his son Henry Jenkins), and you have some intimate, catchy music that stands repeated listens.
Whether he is singing about the “Rich Rich Country” that is our homeland, or if the hymn like “Let The Fireman Pass,” or some of the other country flavoured tracks you know that Jenkins has taken some time composing the words.
This is an assemblage of tales of home that could be sung in a pub or a lounge room that will whisk you away to another world and the lyricism will make the corners of your pie hole turn upwards. Think Randy Newman with an Australian accent and you may have it about right.
“Gun Trouble” has some nice picking and with the twang of the guitar it just gallops along. From the gospel swing of “Went To The Chapel” or the dark folk driven “I Booked An Ambulance” this record is like a box of chocolates – full of sweet surprises. Just be sure to share it with your friends.
