Customer Reviews

Man With Blue Post-Modern Fragmented Neo-Tradition

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Case's second solo effort fulfills much of the promise hinted at on its predecessor. The songwriting is more fluent and self-assured, as is his singing; with contributions from David Lindley, Jim Keltner and Los Lobos' David Hidalgo, the musical settings are more varied and distinctive. Case delivers some startlingly precise character studies ("Poor Old Tom," "Travellin' Light"), stark emotional dramas ("Put Down the Gun," "Two Angels") and sharply observed sense-of-place vignettes ("This Town's a Riot," "Entella Hotel"). Perhaps most notable, though, is the born-again artist's new-found deftness at bridging spiritual and secular concerns, which he does effectively on "Hidden Love." - Ira Robbins/Harold DeMuir, Trouser Press

When I first bought Peter Case's self-titled debut in 1986, I was not aware of his pedigree as a member of the power-pop band The Plimsouls. Whatever it was that prompted to take a chance on that album, I've never regretted it. It was a stunning debut of mostly original material--several tracks written with producer T-Bone Burnett. His follow-up three years later was even better. While the title was a bit awkward--"The Man With the BLUE Post Modern Fragmented Neo-Traditionalist GUITAR--it is filled with Case's wonderful folk/rock songs.

Case can set your toes a-tapping with numbers like "Travellin' Light" (think "Scarecrow"-era John Mellencamp) or pull at your heartstrings on "Two Angels." Session players include Ry Cooder, David Lindley, Jim Keltner and members of Los Lobos.

For my money, this is his best release, but all of his albums--which he releases every two or three years--are excellent. Too bad this is only available now as a pricey import. This album deserves to be heard by a wider audience. [Fortunately, I was able to replace my LP version when I found a cutout copy of this on CD this summer.] HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

I bought this album in a sale (on cassette tape) about 5 years ago and (shame on me) filed it away after a couple of plays. After hearing Case play live at Downpatrick Folk Club last year I got a copy of the new "Full Service" CD (which is brilliant) and started to hunt through my back catalogue for copies of the first album and "Blue Guitar". How could I have been so deaf to the merits of this superb recording - Case at his urgent best with songs about great characters and situations. The playing is very strong, some Ry Cooderish guitar, some Latin influences, but the style definitely Case and a couple of real classic songs - "Put Down the Gun", "Hidden Love" and "Poor Tom". It's a natural progression from the first album, and after a few lesser albums which followed, sets the highest standards which were achieved, indeed surpassed by "Full Service". This man , and this album (sadly hard to get) deserve to be heard!

I was recently going through my old vinyl and came across Blue Guitar. I had forgotten just how good this album is. I bought it back in '89 when it was first released - I already owned his first solo album so I was already a fan. What can one say about this album - every song on the album is outstanding. Each song has its own distinct character - from rockers like "This Town's a Riot" and "Put Down the Gun" to the bluesy "Rise and Shine" to the gentler "Two Angels" and "Entella Hotel".

The all-star support is just icing on the cake. Peter Case is simply one of the best singer-songwriters going, and Blue Guitar is perhaps his best.

It's been a long bumpy road in Case's career, from the early days in the Plimsouls (Million Miles Away) to his latest solo work, but this remains in my mind his best work.

With understated backing, providing an authentic folk/rock-Americana backdrop, Case delivers a number that rank near the top of his catalog. ENETELLA HOTEL and POOR OLD TOM are two of the finest character story songs that I can name. ENTELLA tells of living and finding love at the margins of society, while POOR OLD TOM is a heartbreaking story of a veteran whose life becomes castaway due to mental illness. Both are as good as an award winning short story. The rest of the album is chock full of great songs like, THIS TOWN'S A RIOT, the Cajun inflected TRAVELLIN' LIGHT and the great closing song HIDDEN LOVE.

Anyone looking for quality songwriting would be well advised to check this one out at once. Case has been a consistent performer over the years, but BLUE GUITAR is an obvious peak and an undervalued classic.

Case's second solo effort fulfills much of the promise hinted at on its predecessor. The songwriting is more fluent and self-assured, as is his singing; with contributions from David Lindley, Jim Keltner and Los Lobos' David Hidalgo, the musical settings are more varied and distinctive. Case delivers some startlingly precise character studies ("Poor Old Tom," "Travellin' Light"), stark emotional dramas ("Put Down the Gun," "Two Angels") and sharply observed sense-of-place vignettes ("This Town's a Riot," "Entella Hotel"). Perhaps most notable, though, is the born-again artist's new-found deftness at bridging spiritual and secular concerns, which he does effectively on "Hidden Love." - Ira Robbins/Harold DeMuir, Trouser Press

Peter Case is another great songwriter that should have reached larger audience. Blue Guitar might not be his best solo work, but it still provides solid songwriting, good production and great playing. If you have good songs like Case usually does, and get guys like Ry Cooder, David Hidalgo, David Lindley and Jim Keltner to play them with you, the result can not be too bad. And it isn't. Great album. "Hidden Love" is my favourite song from this album.

The whole title goes something like, "The Man With the Blue Urban Postmodern Neofolk Guitar," and it's meant to belie the beautifully simple melodies contained within. Except for "Peter Case Sings Like Hell," "Blue Guitar" is as close one get get to experiencing his music live. "Put Down Your Gun," though perhaps Case's biggest solo hit, should have been a national anthem for the nineties. Its honest, compassionate plea to the violent elevated (in my eyes)Case to the stature of some of the greatest folk rockers ever. Case's characters are somewhat like those that Tom Waits depicts--except they take life a little more seriously. In "Garden of Earthly Delights," a drifter gains acceptance into a town's culture by befriending a stripper. The subject of "Poor Old Tom" is a former guinea pig for the military; Case sings Tom's tale with a matter-of-fact honesty, ending with a gut-wrenching truism: "The worst disease in the world is to be unwanted, to be used up and then tossed away." But Case's work is as much about music and melody as it is about lyrics. Each song shines on its own and works seamlessly with the framework. T Bone Burnett fans should listen for his voice on "This Town's a Riot." It's no accident that these two have collaborated. They share a sensibility that is all too rare in nineties music: Sincerity propelled a sheer love of music and poetry.

Peter Case had been in two seminal power-pop bands, The Nerves and The Plimsouls. On this his 2nd solo "THe Man With The Blue Post Modern Fragmented Neo-Traditionalist Guitar", (it has to be the longest album title ever). Some great songs here in the pop-folk vain, "Put Down The Gun", great song, "Entella Hotel", "Travelin' Light", "Poor Old Tom", one of my favorites, what a story. "Old Part Of Town", "Two Angels" and "Hidden Love". Peter has released a lot of albums since, but I find this one, "Six-Pack Of Love" and "Sings Like Hell" my favorites.

I hate to say it, but I am way late to the game for this release. I have loved this album since its initial launch. I then spent ten years searching for a cd after a brief and tragic destruction of the copy I had. I even bought an lp version despite not having a turntable at the time.

Every song is a classic and utterly honest. Peter sought to write a bluegrass opera (I think) about the downtrodden and forgotten, and he succeeds on all accounts.

His songs aren't a disapproving lecture on its subjects despite Peter's newfound Christian beliefs. Rather, they are a keen and well-found observation of his life as what I think (again) as a preacher.

I first read about the Plimsouls in BAM (Bay Area Music) a local rag that I happened to get in S. Oregon where I grew up. I've loved his voice ever since.

True, he's a pious storyteller, but you know what? He tells the truth.