https://johnnysgarden.nl/tricks-of-the-trade/

Malcolm Holcombe

Tricks of the Trade

There is no convincing evidence that the saying ‘There’s a sucker born every minute’ was actually used by circus operator PT Barnum, but he is well associated with it. Tom Waits has quoted the same phrase before, and Malcolm Holcombe applies it now in Money Train, the opening track of his new CD. There's a Sucker Born Every Minute. I'm standing in Line. Cause I got a ticket. For the Money Train." An exceptionally convincing start to this new record. Even if you don't like money, we can't do it in this world without it. Too bad we're in the pliers, or who knows, let us get in the pliers.

It was a time of quiet around Malcolm Holcombe. Obviously, we had a global pandemic, but I also read about health issues that were troubling Malcolm. Meanwhile, I hope he's getting better. On the basis of this album you could take that, because Tricks of the Trade is his most inspired album. (Whatever that may say, because I found one of his recent records (Pretty Little Troubles with and by Darrell Scott) also masterful. Every music lover will be so preferred within Holcombe's oeuvre, mine is now Tricks of the Trade. Malcolm Holcombe has a good time. In his rhetoric, he does not say anything. Tricks of the Trade is Holcombe's feet, but with an extra tooth on it.

Thirteen songs in total, mostly uptempo and combative, but there is also room for resting moments such as the sensitive Lenora Cynthia (with Ron de la Vega exceptionally pleasing with his cello), or the following song, the title song of this album. I'll find a little less brother, Misery Loves Company. Too much drama to my taste. I believe that this undermines credibility. I would much rather listen to Windows or Amsterdam, where the title is almost in the rehearsal, while the music of gew