Cathi's CD Reviews 12-8-09
Benoit, Paul – “Bluebird” (Indie) BSeattle songwriter offers a collection of laid-back acoustic music after a trip to the slower paced El Salvado. Well, actually he recorded them in a little fishing village there, so what you get is a spare sound with minimal backup, yet songs offer a variety of mellow, reflective songs, laced with harmonies and lazy, melodic, fingerstyle, acoustic guitar. Nice afternoon porch music.
Davis, Debbie – “Holdin’ Court” (VizzTone) B
Wow…rough-tough sailor girl, Debbie Davis, 22-year veteran of playing blues guitar with the big boys, pulls a whole album of instrumentals out of her pocket. I always loved her playing best of her charms. Here she trots it out in a variety of styles, homages to some favorite players, while dishin’ up seven of her own compositions. Nice spare back up band featuring a kickin’ lady bass player (Cassandra Faulconer), drummer ( Don Catagno), and sometimes a little organ (Paul Opalach). Nice job. Some tunes are a bit uptempo for morning mix, but this is good listening stuff, and her playing is expressive.
Elliott, Grampa – “Sugar Sweet” (Timeless Media dba “Playin’ for Change”) A+
First made famous by world-wide acclaim of his singing of “Stand By Me” in a Youtube video, this older New Orleans/French Quarter, street musician is rolling like a sweet rain over the countryside with mellow, soulful tunes. It’s plain hard to resist the good feeling this guy and his music offers up. Nothin’ to prove; just lovin’ this new wrinkle on an already full life. A variety of great musicians come together to support him…calling themselves the “Playin’ for Change Band”—even Keb Mo gets in on the act. This is one COOL album. All mixes.
Rafael, Joel – “Songs of Woody Guthrie, Vol 1 & 2 (Inside Recordings) A
A long time student and lover of Woody Guthrie music, Joel Rafael spent years playing the same routes and areas Woody traveled, regularly performed in his native Oklahoma and California and is a regular at the annual Woody Guthrie festivals. So intense is his dedication to the spirit and interpretation of Woody’s “soul’ music, that Woody’s daughter sent him lyrics by Woody that were never set to music…now done so by Rafael, with assists by friends (Jackson Browne, the Burns Sisters, Arlo Guthrie, Jimmy LaFave, Jennifer Warnes, etc.) All in addition to Rafael’s quiet interpretations of many of Woody’s originals. This really is a special collection and a labor of love. Most songs are mid-tempo and sparcely delivered. Recommended for all mixes.
The Unwanted – “Music from the Atlantic Fringe” (Compass Records) A++
Three masters of the “lunatic fringe” of music – all real experts on their instruments and fools for Celtic and Appalacian music. Together they deliver the most wonderful “mountain-Celtic” sound…brilliant work. Mind blowing…what else can I say. EXCELLENT in just every respect…the best I’ve heard here. Instrumentalism is great and all vocals on the mark. What a nice surprise to the day.
posted by Cathi N @ 4:12:00 PM
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