Album Review: Any Requests? by Cheeks & Phoenix

Cheeks & Phoenix have been around the pirate and faire community for over a decade but as a band since 2013. Some may recognize Cheeks’ voice from his time with Musical Blades, but to say they have been proficient at releasing albums would be an understatement. They are releasing on average an album a year and that has to be commended. This album in particular, Any Requests?, is simple enough to understand. These are the songs that the band is most often asked to perform from their fans, of course the caveat as seen on the album cover is that we actually do. So look for a good number of traditional songs everyone knows or have at least heard of.

A reminder on how we do reviews on the show. I write my thoughts here as I listen to the album; in a sense what you’re reading is a stream of thought from yours truly. I am in no way qualified to give my opinion but as the Proprietor of the Inn I do feel duty bound to do reviews of the bands, for the bands and for our listeners as well.

We begin the album with “Meri Mac”, a timeless tale I would wager most know. What I really like about this version is the guitar riff, not sure I have heard anything like this before on “Meri Mac”. Doesn’t have the usual speed of Mac most of us are used to so it gives it a distinctive feel. It’s an excellent example of taking a song everyone knows and making it your own. 

“The Derelict” is a pirate staple and should not be a surprise to anyone that it would be on a request album. Much like with “Mac” “Derelict” brings in its own riff and a heavier drum beat. Phoenix’s addition on the Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum is a fantastic touch. As the song goes on there’s something going on with the guitar during the Yo Ho Ho that I’m not sure I’m the biggest fan of, but that’s a personal preference. A very strong song and can easily see why it’s an often request.

Up next we have “Riches, Woman, and Beer”; a song I’m not sure I’m familiar with, let’s check. I can’t find anything of record so I’m going to just assume this is an original or an old Blades song. It has that feel of the Blades and being a former member I can see Cheeks getting that request. Tells a story so it makes me quite happy. I can easily see this being a fan favorite in certain bars with certain krewes.

Now “The Parting Glass” has had some great renditions these last few years so I’m interested to see how this holds up. Off the bat it is a quicker pace than the more recent releases. Not as somber, almost a christian rock vibe if that makes sense to anyone. Not Steve Curtis Chapman, but in that realm of Christian music. I really love the arrangement they have going on with this version, definitely a different take.

“Finnegan’s Wake” is an interesting follow up and I like that moxy. I am immediately taken to a Marc Gunn style of “Wake”. Maybe it’s just the guitar that is feeling quite close to Gunn’s instrument of choice but I just get that vibe. Luckily I do like Gunn and his version of “Wake” so it works for me. It’s not reworking the wheel, just a solid song. I already feel like I hear more Phoenix on this album than I have in previous ones.

I’m interested to hear “The Black Ship”. Ah, my kind of song, it’s telling a story. As far as I can tell this is an original song and something I am loving in this song is the historical references to supposed famous pirate quotes. Damn, I really like this song. I think this is going to be a big hit with the Inn crowd who loves these kind of songs almost as much as I do.

The funny thing about “Grey Funnel Line” is how so many people think it’s a traditional sea shanty. It actually comes from Cyril Tawney who wrote a bunch of songs in the 50s, 60s and 70s that we all assume are old sea shanties. Again this is an interesting arrangement by Cheeks & Phoenix. The vocal melodies are what we expect with Grey Funnel Line, but the musical arrangement is closer to gospel. It’s a different and interesting take on a song we know so well.

“The Diamond” is one of those songs whose title changes depending on who is doing the song, which I always find interesting. The riffs in this song are, for a lack of a better description, very decisive and distinct. Almost a drum beat with the guitar, even when there is a drum. Vocally, it’s what you expect with “The Diamond” just again a bit different riff. It’s an interesting take and there are some intriguing moments in the song, I particularly like the let the black flag fly portion.

Now there is a song called “8 Bells” from The Jolly Rogers and this may be the same song but it’s been a minute since I heard it so we’re gonna check real quick. Yeah, this is most definitely not the same song. Another story, so you know I’m happy. There’s something that sounds familiar in this song but I just can’t put my finger on it. I want to say this has a late 60s feel but I’m not sure that’s quite right. Maybe a Zeppelin style song if they were more folksy? It’s a beautiful song, just doesn’t grab me quite as much as the previous originals.

“Lakes of Pontchatrain” is one of the oldest ballads from the New Orleans region that is still sung today I think. Most believe it originates in the early 1800s and since we’re sister cities, and I love Nola, it’s great to see here. I definitely love that this song starts slow and the picks up half way through. A part of me is missing that New Orleans flavor in the song, but that’s not who Cheeks & Phoenix are. It’s no doubt who is performing this song, it’s definitely a Cheeks & Phoenix song. I do enjoy that some bands are finding these old 1800s songs and bringing them into the pirate fold.

Maybe it’s just me but “Lover’s Wreck” is an interesting song where it’s a staple in some parts of the country while others stare at you blankly when you mention it. Much like “Pontchatrain” this has the distinct Cheeks & Phoenix feel; a nice sturdy song. Phoenix’s humming is a nice a touch, it just isn’t anything new. A good, solid song.

“The Dark Lady” is one of those songs where people have their favorite and how dare you play anything but that version. With that said I’m excited to hear this version. Starting off with some beautiful guitar is an excellent touch. For me the tempo is right for “Dark Lady”; it’s a story, a ghost story at that, and should be sung as such as so. There is something about Cheeks’ voice that adds to that ghost story that I am really enjoying, especially when he gives his laugh. What I like about this version is that works with either an adult audience or a child audience, but I think he would kill with a child audience with this song. There is that storyteller feel in Cheeks’ voice as he sings this song.

I’m curious about “Till The Sea Becomes Our Grave”, the song title alone sounds like an Alestorm song. With that in my head it definitely started at a higher and quicker pace than I was expecting. We come back again to song with a story in it. I actually think this would be a fantastic opening song for a set, particularly with many pirates present. The title makes you think this is a sad song, but I feel the opposite; it’s a song of hope.

We end with “Down at the River to Pray”. It’s an old traditional gospel song from the 1800s and shouldn’t surprise anyone by its appearance on this album if you know Cheeks & Phoenix at all. At first I wasn’t sure about the placement on the album but actually I think this is appropriate. It doesn’t quite fit the rest of the album so having it at the end works. A solid Cheeks & Phoenix feeling song.

Overall a very strong, solid release from Cheeks & Phoenix. It’s easy to see how these songs are their most requested and I think it also does a solid job of giving you an idea of what one of their sets would be like without it being a live album. Definitely recommend picking it up for those who are the more traditional style fans and I look forward to their next release.