The North-East's own roots music conduit is back in fine form with Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra stepping into the album spotlight for the fifth time in a decade-long existence as a recording outfit. THE PARTY'S OVER may or not have literal connotations, but the tank is fuelled up and ready to keep rolling along - or should that be rock 'n' rolling. Like its predecessors, the new record is a jack-in-the-box collection. Trying to attach a dominant twist is a tough task, but rising to the challenge and proclaiming some element of old time country is probably as close as you get. In truth you get dealt a slice of the blues, retro-pop, the spice of New Orleans and most notably a cajun spin.
The obvious odd one out from this eleven-song album is 'Trouble Is'. First of all it is the only one not credited to the writing of Rob Heron, instead linked to a writer called Paul Weber. A little digging does not reveal much of the origin, but its country crooning status is a good fit alongside a volley of rip roaring tunes.
Leading the pack of uptempo efforts is the Rawhide meets Johnny Cash feel to 'The Horse That You Rode In On', awash with dedicated brass and plenty of twangy guitar. For some defined genre hopping, a cajun jumping beat owns 'Snip Snap Snout' and traditional rhythm and blues blends into 'She Hypnotised Me.
Two tracks that waste little time in appealing are the infectious pop vibes glowing from 'Remind Me Tomorrow' complete with a brass interlude, and the harmonica blasting opening number 'Go Home (The Party's Over)' with its catchy chorus and substance to hang the whole album on. The first of this pairing surfed to the top of the enjoyment scale and retained its position several plays later.
Another clear diversion in sound is the dip in tempo to 'Right to Roam'. A track with a clear message that you could go as far as suggest it possesses the credentials of a country folk song. Not quite as folky unless you count the clearcut yodelling at the start is the refreshing melody adorning 'My Salad Days'. A track reminiscent of Pokey LaFarge probing a rich song heritage.
Absolutely drenched in a retro torrent is the New Orleans-influenced 'The Doctor Told Me' with piano and brass leading the sound coupling to a lyrical barrage that could only surface from revivalists a near century on from its heyday. Then again this is why artists such as Rob Heron are very relevant and important today. This track closes a past paced album that races to a conclusion in a mere thirty-three minutes. Just prior to the finale, 'A Call To Mothers' Arms' comes across as a multi-instrument fuelled song with the fiddle of Ruth Lyon from Holy Moly and the Crackers featuring at the end.
The last track to get a mention is 'Dilly Dally Sally' probably because it lacks the impact of some of the other easier listening tunes. Stylistically, it suggestively ticks more rock 'n' boxes than the rest and will find a place in any record of this ilk.
THE PARTY'S OVER is a welcome back to the fold for Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra. 2019 seems ages since their last record and as long as the party is not over, the next one hopefully will not be a three year gap. Interpretative and original revivalist music is a critical movement in the sphere of popular music at all times.
