Customer Reviews

The Blues Ain't News

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Mike Dowling is a polished performer. He is deliberately understated in his approach to the music. This disk is a fine addition to any collection of guitar-based blues. Listening to the songs, I had the sense of a strong folk influence in Dowling's style. I am, however, particularly interested in slide guitar and was disappointed there were not many more slide tunes on the disk. That's hardly the artist's shortcoming.

From the first selection - an old Lonnie Johnson tune to the last, this is a beautiful album. The selection of music features material not performed quite as often from the catalog of traditonal acoustic blues - Sleepy John Estes' Drop Down Mama for example - a tune that I have not heard in many years. If you enjoy instrumentals, then listen to "Miss the Mississippi and You," you will find it to be a fine example of a gentle, well thought out duet between guitar and mandolin. As a guitar player, I appreciate the information provided for each song that describes the tuning selected (open G or open D for example) and what guitars were used. This is a bonus for guitarists who enjoy hearing how an instrument's voice is expressed in the recording. I appreciate Mr. Dowling's mastery of the guitar - especially his use of a slide guitar within the framework of an East Coast Piedmont Blues style. While this artist is proficient at swing, country and other musical styles...it is the blues that he plays that makes the heart move. Well worth your time and money.