THERE’S MUCH TO LIKE ABOUT HELEN McCOOKERYBOOK’S NEW ALBUM ANARCHY SKIFFLE.

Recorded in a two day studio session in Darlington, the gently right-here-right-now punkabilly backing gives Helen’s voice (as pretty and true as in days fronting The Chefs and Helen & The Horns) the chance to shine. Acoustic guitars, stand-up bass, heathaze Dobro and shuffle percussion set the album on an old-timey handcar along a dustbowl railroad track, and she soars high above it.
Whether stopping off at SUGAR HILL for some sweet harmonies, plucking the ROSE OF THE SOUL’S TRUE DESIRE, basking in the mood-lifting sunshine of IF YOU’VE GOT THE BLUES or taking a detour to PIONEER TOWN, the album is propelled by good natured charm.
It’s the title track which offers the most, querying the wisdom of adhering to the tenets of anarchy too closely: “All you offer is questions / That’s no place to start”… Rather than a misguided desire to “destroy passer-by”, homespun ANARCHY SKIFFLE offers up a cheery wave from the garden gate, a nod that the kettle is on and reassurance that you’re amongst new friends. It’s a better world already.

Order Helen McCookerybook’s ANARCHY SKIFFLE here.