SINGLE REVIEW: The Belfast Cowboys - Look at the Moon, Betty
Hailing from Minneapolis 9-piece The Belfast Cowboys began life as a Van Morrison tribute band adding originals to their repertoire on their 2015 album "The Upside to the Downside". Their new single 'Look at the Moon, Betty' is the first track to be lifted from their forthcoming album of all original songs.
Theatrical and somewhat cabaret 'Look at the Moon, Betty' gives the imagery of a smoky bar at a downtown gentlemen's club. Hazy and bustling, people sitting around smoking cigars while the piano twinkles as a backdrop to the night.
The simple piano-backed verse couples with the full band chorus. The vocals are stunning with a passionate tone and the vocal harmonies are exquisite. The track swoons and soars through its jazz meets blues vibe. The seductive sax is a mesmerising addition.
The lyrics focus on the idea of how sometimes we feel like we know it all but then on reflection, we realise the magnitude of the universe. How impossible it is to know everything, what a small cog each of us is in the overall picture. Conveying the idea of what if death isn't the end, what if it's the gateway to something more. It's a very thought-provoking listen that puts life into perspective.
While not typically my style I found myself captivated by 'Look at the Moon, Betty'. The songwriting is exceptional and the visual image it is able to create is phenomenal.
