Heirs of Fortune – Circus of Mirth

Terry Carolan’s latest project, Heir of Fortune’s Circus of Mirth, was inspired by an old friend. This friend and supporter, Gary Littleton, would pass away in 2008.

Having first met Terry and fellow Heir Ralph Smith back in the mid to late 70’s, Littleton would become a key contributor to their musical journey as “a spokesperson, sometimes benefactor and general cheerleader for the band”. Those years and events would become the inspiration for the Circus of Mirth album.

If piano is your thing, you’re really gonna enjoy this one. The compositions are primarily piano driven and the melodies are engaging. This is evident from the get-go with tracks such as “Aster Street Days”, one of my early favorites. Similarly, “How Can I Resist” features a catchy chorus and smart lyrics. Heir of Fortune’s cover of “I Am The Cosmos” is a testament to the band’s good taste, too.

All that said, my favorite track may be the 60’s inspired “Crazy”. It’s more guitar reliant and settles into a great groove early. At just 2:45 it’s a fresh breeze, a great slice of classic power pop. It even ends on a Beatle-y E6, I think.

You can get the download of Heirs of Fortune Circus of Mirth from their website or get the physical CD at Kool Kat Musik.