The Wasted Ocean released on September 26 in the UK and Europe is my introduction to the music of Anna Coogan, inspiration for the album comes from a childhood influenced by the history and tradition of New England’s maritime heritage and her years spent on the water as white-water kayaker and a fisheries biologist. Finding herself between jobs and jet lagged from a year of touring Anna used the down-time to write the songs for the album, and then with the financial help of her fans recorded the ten tracks which were produced, engineered and mixed by Evan Brubaker (Rachel Harrington).
The album opens in a sombre mood with a forlorn tale of those lost to the ocean “Condemned to live forevermore, In that desperate corridor of blue and green”, track two Streamers is a co-write with Evan Brubaker and one of my favourite tracks from the album, track three is a wonderful reinterpretation of Blood on the Sails by Phil and June Cloclough, this is followed by another original track on which Edie Carey provides backing vocals in a perfect compliment to Anna’s lead, there’s also a cover of Phil Ochs’ The Crucifixion to enjoy, a beautiful listen this album will have you hitting the repeat button and rewards on each listen.
Trained as an opera singer (read the full bio here) her head was turned after hearing Alison Krauss sing and that was the springboard to here foray into the world of roots music, blessed with a wonderfully emotive singing voice of her own this album is real joy to listen to. Anna plays both electric and acoustic guitar on the album, the other main contributors are Colby Sander (banjo, dobro, mandolin), Brooks Miner (hammond), Eyvind Kang (viola, violin), Edie Carey (backing vocals) and Daniele Fiaschi (electric guitar) with the multi-talented Evan Brubaker playing a variety of instruments including electric bass and adding backing vocals.
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Buy the album direct through Anna’s Homepage
Anna Coogan – Blood On The Sails
There’s a short tour in Ireland and the UK starting the end of this month including a show with Beat Surrender favourite Alejandro Escovedo
Sep 30 Storytelling Southeast, Dungarvan, County Waterford
Oct 1 Upper Sheringham Acoustic Cafe, Norfolk
Oct 4 Farncombe Music Club
Oct 5 The Enterprise, Camden, London
Oct 6 Glasgow Americana Festival
Oct 8 Live Theatre, Newcastle (with Alejandro Escovedo)
[...] There are already a few reviews popping up here in the states and overseas for this record (here, here, and here); so take my word or theirs and buy the new record here [...]