I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Between Somewhere and Goodbye by Doug MacLeod, and it's that cool, MacLeod blues rock thing. I've been reviewing Doug's releases for over 10 years and I find him like JJ Cale in that his music is cool, clever and somewhat definable... and that's good. Opening with Memphis In Your Soul, MacLeod sets off with a lightly funky, track with soulful vocals, an easy guitar riff, and with Paul Ossola on bass, Lynn Williams on drums and Cindy Walker, Marie Lewey and Carla Russell on backing vocals. MacLeod lays in one of his understated, single string guitar solos making for perfect opener. Keep On Walking On is a straight up shuffle with really light instrumental backing almost dominated by a single snare/tambourine snap and MacLeod's vocals, backed by Lewey, Russell and Walker and another traditionally simple yet interesting guitar solo. Very solid melody and performance. I Ain't No Stranger has a spirit of it's own like any good, old school delta blues track. With resonating guitar vamps, story telling vocals and distant drum and percussion this track is not aa radio track but shines on it's own. Shuffle, I Don't Like Your Chances, powered by MacLeod's guitar and Mark Jordan on piano gives the release some juice and MacLeod fans an energetic guitar solo to compliment his Bromberg like vocal delivery. Vey cool. I like the guitar vamp on Watching The Sun Go Down developing into another of those MacLeod, hidden gems with it's understated melody. His vocals are raspy yet perfect to deliver on just such a track. Solid closer.
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