Wednesday, December 28, 2016

MUSIC REVIEW OF THE DAY: MARK CRISSINGER - NIGHT LIGHT



Melodic blues from the B.C.-based veteran, who brings a highly developed sense of songwriting to the multiples styles on his latest solo album. On the ten originals here, Crissinger and his band show off their versatility, adjacent songs often greatly different, such as Night Light's jazzy knack to Defeated's harder edge and smoking solo, on to One of These Days' lighthearted country-boogie.


Crissinger works hard on his lyrics, using modern themes and lines instead of getting stuck trying to use yesterday's blues writing. That helps lend an openness to the whole set, with quite different numbers such as Wild Wind Fever, which features dramatic slide guitar through much of the song, but also some easy-going verses, keeping the song catchy. And A Simple Truth is mellow, soulful ballad that again hits home with a winning melody. Add in Marty Howe's strong harp playing throughout, and it's a start-to-finish strong album.

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