REVIEWS
by Judy Gordon* and Carol Gerhauser+

*RICHARD DOBSON: FROM A DISTANT SHORE 1."Long Haul Hard Traveling Man,"There's a HAUNT/HINT Johnny Cash here,
2."The Old Wild Country,"Back to real music, real story Richard TELLS RIGHT,
3."Windows of the Soul,"Music compliments his words,
4."A Little Behind My Shoes,"LISTEN TO THAT FIDDLE,
5."It's Been This Way Forever,"Full time storyteller with CORRECT MUSICIANS,
6."Winners,"Fun with numbers AND can't have old COUNTRY WITHOUT DOGS,
7."Let Tomorrow Come,"AND THERE'S FIDDLE AGAIN, Thank Goodness,
8."Let's Talk Trash,"Aw Hah, He's GOT IT WITH THESE FOLKS—HAY-HAY,
9."That Was Then and This Is Now,"Full time country WITH COWBOYS & Indians,
10."The Old Rhythm Rebel,"Honor on this ONE—TOTAL U.S.A. MUSIC TRIP,
11."From a Distant Shore,"And yes—MUSIC ROUTE ON THIS ONE.

Produced by RICHARD DOBSON and THOMM JUTZ.
Visit Richard's website and Thomm's

Email Richard or Thomm

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+DENNY FREEMAN: A TONE FOR MY SINS
Out of four (+ a German Cobras’) records, this is third, a 1997 effort and, for the record, a Denny-buff’s dream—just straight ahead, subdued, brilliant ability and some thought. I kept being forced (by my CD player) back to cut #1 “Vigilante” that drummer Jerry Angel tried to knock out of first place and realized Les McCann was right (“…compared to what?”). I liked it then (perhaps save the best…?) The other pulpy fiction-feel is on “Aftershock” where the fast and funkiness had me calling for Mum. Cute Joe Sublett played deeper sax, though, on (and co wrote) “Wah Wah Toosie” (sp), a groovy, impressive guitar/bass (Share Ross) tandem melody ride.

Though poetry transcends the other three separate genres in literature, “Swingset” blurs musical lines and has maybe one flash (livens up itself) in a new moon “sacred” forest. BUT the CD’s last song makes it all well. In “Rhythm Method” (I get it --we likes jazz), Mr. D is real and old (me leg was a’bouncin’). Before this is a sweet “Soul Burden” (name that singer for some Pursuit pie) which has a ping antithetical to SRV’s “Riviera Paradise”’. I kept reaching for Parade mag (oops) during this one and one other, “Swamp Box”, where Kathy Valentine chirps on the wah wah guitar while Denny slides and is still ok-pokey.

I GOT “Stealin’ Berries Part II”; he is makin’ jam (serto’s other use), and I liked the same guitar throughout. “Catfight” I did not get though my dog did; tracks upon tracks (only Steve Winwood can and does play with himself in Traffic); but as if a counterpoint, the original sounding “Don’t Stop Now” has a style of music that is clear and classy and nothing personal, honey. From happy faces, stars, and question marks to hearts, “That’s What She Said” after “Aftershock” is like a road groove (“So?”, said Miles) and was delayed by the intimated key changes. And the best of three is last. “It’s a Love Thing” is so soft and sweet (drummer) that the female fool looking for and finding changes rose up.

On the whole the disc is profess-ional. Once the licks are perfected it becomes an inside good job.
Check Denny's website

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*GURF MORLIX: LAST EXIT TO HAPPYLAND
All songs by Gurf Morlix
Rick Richards played the drums—
Patty Griffin sang on "She's A River"—"I Got Nothin" and "Voice of Midnight"—
Barbara Kooyman sang on "Music You Mighta Made"—
Ruthie Foster on "Drums from New Orleans,"
"Music You Mighta Made" was written for BLAZE FOLEY.
"Voice of Midnight" was written for KIM and MAC.

1. "One More Second,"Full swing sway takes ya AND words GRABYA,
2. "Walkin' to New Orleans,"Quite a trip to not be forgotten,
3. "Crossroads,"Time taken by the music, flows with the STORY,
4. "She's A River,"Patty’s full with him together, STRINGS SNEAK IN,
5. "Drums From New Orleans,"And yeah RUTHIE FOSTER KNOWS,
6. "Music You Mighta Made,"This one just good-ol’ time takin ya quite a HAMMER,
7. "I Got Nothin',"IT’S JUST WHAT THEY’RE TELLING YA, GENTLY,
8. "Hard Road,"This one brings back Townes Van Zandt, a GURF MYSTERY,
9. "End of the Line,"Music takes you quite a TRIP,
10. "Voice of Midnight,"Such a compliment in his OWN WAY.

Find out more at Gurf's website or myspace