David Starr - Love And Sabotage
Cedaredge Music
I have to admit from the outset that I’d never heard of David Starr until this, his sixth album, dropped through my letterbox. But, from the opening notes of the title song, I was instantly hooked, and sat at my listening post, transfixed, right through to the gorgeous The Beautiful Music Of You, which closes this stunning collection of songs that echoes the best of 1970s singer-songwriters in its attention to lyrical detail and sonically pervades a road somewhere between country-folk and melodically driven rock with stop-offs for bluesy interludes and West Coast styled country-rock. Originally from Alabama, David runs a music store in Cedaredge, Colorado and is without doubt a passionate music fan, as well as being a skilled songwriter, excellent vocalist and musician.
David’s disarmingly warm, inviting voice and his brilliant lyrical melancholy, is enhanced by a collaborative ensemble that both embraces the evolution of present-day Americana and champions the traditional influences that are at the core of his music. Musically, the album overflows with subtle and surprising pleasures, liberal use of pedal steel, tasteful electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, mandolin, fiddle, Dobro, accordion, harmonica and more. Amongst the singers and players are such renowned names as Richie Furay, John Oates, Dan Dugmore, Steve Cropper, Dana Cooper, Larry Beaird, Jimmy Mattingly, Rob McNelley and Howard Duck, but at no time do they overshadow David Starr, who is front and centre in the twin roles of vocalist and musician.
The songs he writes, produces and sings...are rooted in his own experience. They’re true. And that makes them more profound than if they came whole cloth out of his imagination. He uses his lyrics to tell stories with universal appeal, with keen observations on relationships, love and the ever present hope that the beauty of life can overcome the world’s harshness, but keeping the words strong, simple, and evocative. Love And Sabotage drives along with a rhythmic muscularity and rich melodic electric guitars, then the pace slows for the more reflective and slightly autobiographical Hard To Find A Witness, featuring his own stunning guitar work. Songs about home and family (Afraid) collide into songs about the perils of road life and rambling (Long Ride Home). In between, there are songs about old flames (What Do You Recall), getting back together to give love another chance (Our Mistakes) and pondering a new relationship (No Time Like The Present). He also turns in fine versions of Kenny Edwards’ Fever and Tumbleweed, a song co-written by Tia McGraff and Tommy Parham. It is an emotional love story directed at a departing lover told over a dusty Americana arrangement of lonesome fiddle, softly plucked mandolin, twangy guitars and exquisite harmonies by Tania Hancheroff. As I stated at the beginning I was instantly hooked on David Starr’s narrative-driven writing and passionate vocals that cut through the soul on an album that warrants repeated play.
www.davidstarrmusic.com
I have to admit from the outset that I’d never heard of David Starr until this, his sixth album, dropped through my letterbox. But, from the opening notes of the title song, I was instantly hooked, and sat at my listening post, transfixed, right through to the gorgeous The Beautiful Music Of You, which closes this stunning collection of songs that echoes the best of 1970s singer-songwriters in its attention to lyrical detail and sonically pervades a road somewhere between country-folk and melodically driven rock with stop-offs for bluesy interludes and West Coast styled country-rock. Originally from Alabama, David runs a music store in Cedaredge, Colorado and is without doubt a passionate music fan, as well as being a skilled songwriter, excellent vocalist and musician.David’s disarmingly warm, inviting voice and his brilliant lyrical melancholy, is enhanced by a collaborative ensemble that both embraces the evolution of present-day Americana and champions the traditional influences that are at the core of his music. Musically, the album overflows with subtle and surprising pleasures, liberal use of pedal steel, tasteful electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, mandolin, fiddle, Dobro, accordion, harmonica and more. Amongst the singers and players are such renowned names as Richie Furay, John Oates, Dan Dugmore, Steve Cropper, Dana Cooper, Larry Beaird, Jimmy Mattingly, Rob McNelley and Howard Duck, but at no time do they overshadow David Starr, who is front and centre in the twin roles of vocalist and musician.
The songs he writes, produces and sings...are rooted in his own experience. They’re true. And that makes them more profound than if they came whole cloth out of his imagination. He uses his lyrics to tell stories with universal appeal, with keen observations on relationships, love and the ever present hope that the beauty of life can overcome the world’s harshness, but keeping the words strong, simple, and evocative. Love And Sabotage drives along with a rhythmic muscularity and rich melodic electric guitars, then the pace slows for the more reflective and slightly autobiographical Hard To Find A Witness, featuring his own stunning guitar work. Songs about home and family (Afraid) collide into songs about the perils of road life and rambling (Long Ride Home). In between, there are songs about old flames (What Do You Recall), getting back together to give love another chance (Our Mistakes) and pondering a new relationship (No Time Like The Present). He also turns in fine versions of Kenny Edwards’ Fever and Tumbleweed, a song co-written by Tia McGraff and Tommy Parham. It is an emotional love story directed at a departing lover told over a dusty Americana arrangement of lonesome fiddle, softly plucked mandolin, twangy guitars and exquisite harmonies by Tania Hancheroff. As I stated at the beginning I was instantly hooked on David Starr’s narrative-driven writing and passionate vocals that cut through the soul on an album that warrants repeated play.
www.davidstarrmusic.com