Brian Dolzani “Love, Blues” EP Review

I love the simplicity of a guy and his guitar. I love the simplicity of a 4 track recording. There is perhaps something nostalgic about it for me because I started recording my own stuff on a blue Tascam 4 track with an SM58. No idea what I was doing, but I loved it. I think that heart and soul shine through when something is raw like that. Brian Dolzani’s ‘Love, Blues’ has that rawness and that heart.

I’ll be honest, the kick off track “Two Days” threw me for a little loop. I credit Dolzani for trying out an acapela arrangement, but it just fell a little flat for me. I can recognize the value of it, as the record “builds” on itself from there and truly does not disappoint, but I could have done without it.

By the time the second track kicks in, however, I am sold. ‘Angel Gonna Walk Me Home’, has a simple and sparse, but totally fitting guitar and vocal arrangement. Brian’s voice  has an undeniable Neil Young vibe to it. It’s soft and rings at a register that is engaging. The way the guitar lines flow together with the cadence of his voice is wonderfully contained in this tune.

The title track kicks in with some nice slide action. Taking typical blues sounds and stretching them a bit to encompass his “own” sound within. A standout for sure.

What is classified as blues is typically a boring I IV V arrangement with some good soloing, but Dolzani redefines that here. He really blends the best parts of folk and blues into a sound that isn’t heard all too often. You have your slide guitar, harp and the like sure, but the songs tell great stories as well without repeating a line over and over.

‘Love, Blues’ is a collection of stripped down, raw, and passionate tunes. I really respect the natural, not so refined sound of this. It’s the way the blues were meant to be heard and I cannot wait to dig into more of what Brian has to offer musically.

Check out Love, Blues and more from Brian Dolzani at http://briandolzani.bandcamp.com/