|
Review:
Shortly before making “2 Billion Banjo: Blues Songs for Eric Burdon”, Munyon was in a terrible shape – “Poverty sucks!” as he told me, and I was certain that he was down deep. Than a miracle must have happened, because all of a sudden this very clean, white man’s blues album, surfaced. David performed some of his best tracks ever; all recorded at his birthday – August 19th 2004, in Ozark – Alabama. This album shows so much all-over resilience, it damps energy from each song. Sparse and sober as always, but with a density and excitement hanging underneath, which gives huge listening pleasure. Each track was recorded in one take, no extras, no additions, just the man and his instruments. The richness of this 2004 CD lies hidden in its bluesy character, but also within the diversity of the songs, especially the passionate guitar playing, with great hooks and rhythms, beautiful intro’s, sometimes virtuous, but than again mellow. This splendid album has several unique songs; believe it or not, but “Never give up Blues” does even sound danceable. Various topics show David’s concern in our current world, for example “Iraq” creates a picturesque and gripping scope in the opening verse: “There’s an underweight confederate, alcoholic veteran, watching the evening movies. It’s not by any accident; he begins to swear a bit. He grits his teeth’s that Uncle Sam gave him. He’s at the borderline of an incident. On a desert dune, kinda tactical. On the borderline - Iraq” Human in struggle with himself, tied up in a desert of business and politics. “The American Blues” has got this Muddy Waters riff and the spirit of Stephen Stills is sensed, not that the music sounds copied, it remains rather original throughout. I won’t be surprised that this disc eventually will be made available using regular distribution methods. Despite your own religious thoughts, (if any at all, doesn’t matter) one thing is certain; David’s heart is in the right place. (Rein van den Berg)
|
