Album Review: Shaun Kirk - Giving

Given Kirk is kind enough to donate part of this EP's proceeds to charity, it's doubly unfortunate when this bland, derivative release falls utterly flat. Opener Give To The Needy's didactic lyricism attempts the working class aesthetic of original blues musicians, but without their gruff minimalism or any authenticity, it just feels trite. Kirk's forced, Americana-style vocals are littered with scratchy, affected fury, while a woefully simple, boring solo in Tranquility demonstrates his flaccid musical stylings. The last of three unnecessary live tracks, the ten inexcusable, repetitive minutes of Find Me A Lady are the last straw.