The Bar-Steward Sons Of Val Doonican return…with a new line up and a wonderful mix of brand new songs for your aural pleasure.

Release Date: Available Now

Label: Moon-On-A-Stick Records

Format: CD / Digital (Bandcamp)

TOO MANY BORING FARTS

When you have the ability of The Bar-Steward Songs Of Val Doonican, the well is never going to run dry. There are songs that are always going to present themselves as primed for the Bar-Steward treatment.

On Evolver, Jason Donovan, Glen Campbell, ABBA, Duran Duran, Gary Numan, Billy Joel and The Beatles are all on the chopping block.

Too Many Boring Farts sees each member of the new line-up take turns on vocals as the Jason Donovan track is folkified Bar-Steward style. As you can imagine, the song takes aim at the boring folk of the world! There are some wonderful choice lines in amongst including references to a 12 sided die and regular logging of stools. It works brilliantly…and as the band says, we all know one!

CUT-PRICE COWBOY

Cut-Price Cowboy drops the toaster in the bath on those builders that cut corners and fake reviews. A particularly wonderful use of the word wazzock is also sublime. That’s Not My Name keeps the same song title as the original noughties hit from Ting Tings and is a cautionary tale of, yes, you guessed it…someone getting names wrong.

The fierce satire continues on Waiting On A Monday Afternoon. This time, the Bar-Steward’s deliver a scathing attack on the companies that make us wait for orders ad infinitum. I think this is something that all of us can relate too! Musically, it borrows from The Kinks. You’ll have to dig in to see which companies get the Bar-Steward blood really pumping!

FULLY EVOLVED

Each passing song on Evolver is brilliantly constructed and arranged, however some stand out more than most. Spas is excellent. The wordplay, set to Gary Numan’s massive automotive hit works a treat. Mr. Pint Sized is a hilarious ode to Gary Barlow’s son, who made headlines for his spectacular height.

Lost In Munich is an oompah-tastic tale of escapades in said German city. And yes, there is booze. Booze is front and centre on The Strongest Wine. Set to Billy Joel’s The Longest Time, this is this writers favourite of the new songs. Alan has a new pastime and his homemade wine will render you more than legless. Having sommeliers, spittoons and Shane McGowan all featured in the lyrics shows the skill the Bar-Steward’s have. There is also some tasty wordplay that goes hard on the double entendre front. This is all fused together with some of the best harmonies you’ll hear. Completing the boozy triptych is Sup It Up; included here as a bonus track.

Evolver is a brilliant record for this freshly tank topped era of the Bar-Stewards. The evolution is less than gentle as the new line-up delivers a great set of new songs in impeccable fashion moving the band forward.

The Bar-Steward Sons Of Val Doonican have loads of tour dates lined up to support Evolver. You can check out all the dates here. You can also check out the Evolver Listening Party again, below.

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