David Jacobs-Strain
Ocean or a Teardrop
NorthernBlues Music – 0024
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This disc came out of the gate strong with a solid and very interesting version of Fred McDowell’s, “Kokomo Blues.” It just flat got more and more interesting as it went along with very few weak spots. It is blues most definitely and there is a very subtle, but distinct influence of Jazz flow mixed into it. I think that the addition of certain backing musicians such as Joe Craven on fiddle mandolin and oud, add to that feel. Producer and multi-instrumentalist, Kenny Passarelli on Hammond B3 organ, Fender Rhodes piano, bass, chains probably has probably the most to do with feel, as he creates great textures with some of the lush instrumentation. Anne Weiss adds to the solid vocal effort shown on this disc. His guitar playing owes some to Stevie Ray Vaughan, however he does a lot with the resophonic, and acoustic slide guitar. With this as the lead guitar
there is a much more acoustic feel to this disc. It is not a guitar dominated disc though there is plenty of his bottleneck-slide guitar work to gratify anyone. This early 20s musician has a voice that makes a lie to his chronological years, it is drenched in experience and weary of the follies of the world. He really does shine on many of the classics by the likes of Blind Willie Johnson, Fred McDowell, and Sleepy John Estes where his love of this genre of music shines through it all. He is someone to keep an eye on.