Customer Reviews

Big Night

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Eastern Iowa native David Zollo rocks out on his 2nd solo CD since the breakup of his "High & Lonesome" band. He's played with Todd Snider and Iowa's own Greg Brown. On the opener "While You Undress," David takes a page out of the Delbert McClinton handbook on good rocking songs and shakes his tail feathers. He follows this up with a spiritual sentiment and guitar that brings George Harrison & Tom Petty to mind, like the Willbury's lost cousin, on "Eye of the Needle." The title track showcases Zollo's piano on a slower tune with a pretty melody. My favorite track is "Get Away," the only one that Zollo didn't write, a driving rocker that could be rock or country. "Lonesome Childhood" is a slower reflective tune. "Respect Ain't a One-Way Street" is a midtempo track with a great bit of homespun wisdom. The CD concludes with "Driftwood from Kerry," "Your sweet body calls to me; I will soon be there." This is an excellent set, very strong in its consistency. As a U of Iowa grad, it's nice to hear these sounds from home! They play real well down Carolina way! Enjoy!

"The Big Night," is a breakthrough album for David Zollo. After a Tenure in Iowa's "High and Lonesome," and a collection of solo albums each building upon the last, this album presents itself as the matured Zollo in good form. The music is the sound of Iowa, with its dirt roads and endless fields of corn. This is the sound of honky tonk Barn parties sung by a throat as scratchy as brillo pad. Check it out.

I'm gonna be straight, here. D.Z.'s "Uneasy Street" is a better album and the place to put your money should you buy some Zollo. For the die-hard Zollo fans, well, you're gonna buy it anyway and bless you all.

I like this album better than any country album I've bought in a while. Not that it is country really, I don't know, is it Alt-Country, Rock, Roots, Folk-rock??? You tell me. Either way, if you like Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, and Willie Nelson like I do, you will enjoy this album.

I normally do not review CD's here, but I felt compelled to on this one. This music is so deep, the lyrics are sometimes hopeful, sometimes melancholy, but always have plenty of meaning. Hearing David's voice on record is like speaking to an old friend, its warm, and full of soul, and life experiences. The guitar interplay on this is also very good. If you like the Rolling Stones, the Faces, the Black Crowes, or any music that has talent with deep lyrical content, please buy this album. Talents like David Zollo do not come often.

Dave has outdone himself with this album. This is his third "solo" album on the independant label he runs in Iowa City called Trailer Records. Dave can sound like rock n roll, folk, Alt-Country, and bluesy among other unknown or unnamed styles. The Big Night explores these different musical styles and puts them together to form his unique sound. If you like Bob Dylan, Greg Brown, Todd Snider, The Rolling Stones, or any similar atists you should give this album a try.