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Some Good Blues | |||
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On Some Good Blues his sturdy tunes beautifully blend the dark and the light, and he has an engaging, unaffected vocal delivery that puts the set over the top. Best cuts: the sultry "Maine" and the nicely picked "Black Fly Moan." Jeff Calvin, Blues Revue ********************************** Sometimes - but not very often - you only have to look at the sleevenotes to know that a record is going to be a good one. The notes on Peter Narvaez CD Some Good Blues from June 2002 start "My interest in old blues recordings of acoustic blues began in high school when a friend played me a recording of Blind Lemon Jefferson on a jazz anthology (thanks Jim Culleny!). That interest developed into a fascination that has led me through an unforgettable musical adventure." The adventure has included playing with many of the greats of blues and acoustic music such as Skip James, Fred MacDowell, Dave Von Ronk and the cream of Canadian players. Peter was produced at one stage by John Fahey on his Takoma label. Peter provided Document Records with sleeve notes and, if I remember, an introduction to one of Skip James later concert recordings. So his blues credentials are excellent and this CD is, indeed, a very good one. Peter is a resident of Newfoundland in Canada. This is his first CD and second ‘album.’ The first, Rock ‘n’ Roll Ruby was some 25 years ago. Peter works as a folklorist and songwriter, amongst others he has written for Buffy Sainte-Marie. The CD is a showcase for Peter’s acoustic playing and his own compositions. He plays finger-picking guitar harmonica and mandolin with, on a number of tracks, assistance from a fellow player, mainly Glen Collins. Another reviewer has pointed to Merle Travis as a near point of reference. More contemporary would be Dave Mackenzie’s very enjoyable CD on Black and Tan records from a couple of years back. The approach is similar however Peter’s playing is more sophisticated. His vocal style is gruff but intimate and very friendly. Perhaps Tom Waits or Bob Dylan would be the nearest vocal reference points, but I suspect that Peter just sounds like Peter. Peter has a laconic sense of humour. There are clever twists in each song and they are not just 12 bars with a few words chucked on. The songs cover a wide range, as can be told from the titles. My favourites include ‘Maine’ an ironic tribute to Maine with bad weather and living in a shack, ‘Your Grate Needs Coal’, a song with clever metaphors and double-entendre’s and ‘Bulldozer Blues (NOT the Henry Thomas song) a lament for his old homestead that had been knocked down. There isn’t a bad song on the set. The final track ‘Bad Blood Mama’ has an electric feel from a band Peter was in over twenty years ago. This is blues with a smile on its face, giving a great deal of pleasure. It is very easy to listen to, in the best sense, and has been on my CD rotation for the past couple of months. Peter has been nominated for the Canadian Music Awards ‘ Blues Artist of the Year 2003.’ I wish Peter success and hope that this may lead him onto more recording and performing. I know that these reviews are sometimes read by people of influence so I have two pleas: 1) I think this CD would go really well in Europe. It would fit in neatly with the Black & Tan catalogue or JSP. If you have the influence, give this a listen. 2) Peter plays most of his gigs in Newfoundland. It would be wonderful if he could be persuaded to leave ‘Bianca’s Bar’ in St Johns and travel to Europe. There are package tours of American blues artists restarting - I went to an excellent show recently with Bobby Parker, Deitra Farr and Michael Roach. Peter would be an excellent choice to be on one of these tours. Geoff Mann (UK), The Delta Snake ********************************** He's a bitch of a fingerstylist out of St. John's! He's jammed with Yank Rachell and Skip James and he wrote all this here. And this here is blues/folk, recalling the upwardly-transient- but-not-quite-urban-yet rural blues of Fred McDowell or Tampa Red, from a Nfld. perspective, acoustic except for the 17th track and featuring his guitar, graveled voice, harmonica, and guest accompaniment. In tunes like Black Fly Moan, Curmudgeon Baby Blues or Hoodoo Doctor (Self-Esteem Blues) Narvaez's picking could rival Merle Travis's (or, he could tell you who!) - anyway we're talkin' Red Hot and Blue. Meanwhile he turns out a nice ballad like The Stove. Why not ask for it? Check out www.ambermusic.ca and tell 'em Dean sent ya. Dean Cottrill, The Hour (Montreal) ********************************** If ever there was a CD that lived up to it’s name, Some Good Blues by Peter Narvaez is certainly it. From the open chord to the last, you know that you have indeed gotten Some Good Blues. Narvaez has lived in St. John’s, Newfoundland, for the last thirty years. In the midst of this musical and story telling atmosphere, Narvaez has fine tuned his craft to something very near perfection. Lyrically, this is simply a superb disc. Each and every song on Some Good Blues could just as easily be described as a story set to music. Everyone will be able to relate to at least some of these songs as the themes run from potato planting season in the east (Black Fly Moon), to songs told by or about husbands, wives, lovers, and just life in general. Whatever the topic, Narvaez weaves an interesting tale, and then tells it with a mellow, laid back blues style of vocals that I find very refreshing. There is no screaming on this disc, so if that is what you are looking for I suggest you go elsewhere. Musically, this is no less impressive. All of the songs (with the exception of one pulled from his younger days in a blues band) are comprised of Narvaez on guitars, harmonica and/or mandolin. Accompanying him is Glen Collins, Darrell Cooper and Steve Hussey to varying degrees on acoustic guitars, and Neil Rosenberg on mandolin. This group of superb musicians combine to create some very good acoustic blues. The guitars often play against each other as well as I have ever heard it done, and the way Narvaez plays the harmonica could make John Popper or Neil Young green with envy. Some Good Blues was nominated for an ECMA in 2003, and all I can say is that it certainly deserves to be. This is a fine collection of acoustic blues that is gonna make you smile and make you damn glad that you took the time to listen to it. Just like the “blues” aren’t for everybody, Some Good Blues isn’t going to be for every blues fan. As for me, I can say with no reservations that this is an extremely original and enjoyable disc, one of the better ones I have listened to in a long time, and I would wholeheartedly encourage everyone to get it and hear it for themselves. Great White Noise, http://www.greatwhitenoise.ca/reviews/peternarvaez.html ********************************** Peter's very first CD is a long time coming - and well worth the wait. Some Good Blues includes 17 tracks (all Narváez originals with the exception of 2 covers), steeped in the 'roots' blues from which he takes his inspiration. It's been some 25 years since Rock 'n' Roll Ruby, his first acclaimed release on vinyl. Instead of the full electric band arrangements of Ruby, on Some Good Blues Narváez opts for acoustic arrangements, and all parts ring through full and clear, with plenty of texture, rhythm and life. It took only one listen to realize that a full backup band, however capable, would have overpowered this dynamic and thus spoiled the subtlety that makes this album work. Stylistically, the songs run a wide range. "Make Some Time", "Hoodoo Doctor", "Black Fly Moan" and "Curmudgeon Baby Blues" are frenetically up-tempo, showcasing hyper-fast fingerpicking, subtle harmonica backup and some fine guitar soloing by Glen Collins. "Organically Grown" keeps the tempo up with funky, staccato guitar and amusing lyrics, complemented nicely once again by Collins. "Maine" and "The Stove" are mellower, more serious and richly textured, with the guitars upstaged by Narváez's subtly raunchy harmonica (how DO you do that Peter?) and low soothing vocals somewhere between Dylan, Cohen and Lanois. "Proper Thing Bounce" is a hilarious rag celebrating one of the great things about Newfoundland -- da way we talks! "Time Alone With You" and "My Wife Drove Me From the Door" are sung with a twinkle in the eye and campy enough to put a smile on your face. The one electric track on this recording, "Bad Blood Mama", is actually an archival release from [the group] Divin' Duck (1978) and though it appears to be in mono and lacks the sound quality of the rest of the album, nonetheless it is quite enjoyable and works like a snapshot into Peter's past. It also reveals his musical energy and panache. I'm confident that those who enjoy acoustic blues will take to Some Good Blues immediately, and those who are introduced to blues through this recording may very well be “converted” and want to seek out more. Bob Sutherby, The Measure (St. John’s) ********************************** While we're on the subject of Canadian blues guitarists, I should mention Some Good Blues, the first CD of Peter Narváez. Living in the Eastern-most Canadian province of Newfoundland, Narváez is an acoustic blues musician (harmonica and mandolin, in addition to the guitar) and singer-songwriter whose music has more in common with the Piedmont variety than with the Delta or Chicago styles. Using no drums and no bass, but rather favoring a two-guitar plus harmonica set-up, and singing in a smoky voice, Narváez deals with modern themes (the difficulty of getting away from beepers, junk food, cigarettes), but his songs are steeped in tradition. Narváez is a good harmonica accompanist and a nimble-fingered guitarist, and the interactions between he and the second guitarist (either Glen Collins, Darrell Cooper or Steve Hussey) are complex and ear-catching. Interestingly, Narváez has chosen to let us in on his past --- the last track of the CD, "Bad Blood Mama," was recorded in 1978 by the electric boogie-blues trio he was in at the time, Divin' Duck. Though this last track doesn't easily fit beside the others, it helps us form a better picture of who this talented musician is. Phoenix Blues Society, http://www.bluenight.com/BluesBytes/wn0802.html ********************************** ... straight-ahead blues with some very contemporary lyrics instead of the more usual adaptations of traditional verses. ... carefully constructed lyrics. He has written songs for John Fahey, Ron Hynes and Buffy Sainte-Marie among others and some of these songs might well be chosen by others [to perform] as well. "Make Some Time (Beeper Song)", "Your Cigarettes and Coffee (Gonna be the Death of Me)" and "Airport Blues" are three that might be considered. John Valenteyn, ”John’s Picks" Maple Leaf Blues ********************************** At last what I have waited for all these years, and it is no disappointment, in fact it is dynamite! Fine songwriting, breathtaking guitar, great arrangements, terrific sidemen (my compliments to Neil Rosenberg for the mandolin solo on “Time Alone With You”). An exciting experience! Greg Hildebrand, Minhamite, Victoria, Australia ********************************** Peter Narváez is an acoustic blues performer with a powerful, smooth, gritty voice which penetrates deeply within. His terrific voice is showcased throughout all of the tunes. ... all these songs written and performed by Narváez are excellent. All songs here are originals. Packaging and production are both first-rate. The choice of material is nicely balanced too, with a mixture of up tempo and slower numbers This is a very good CD and is recommended by me especially if you're not yet into Peter Narváez. WinnipegBlues.com, http://www.winnipegblues.com/narvaez.htm ********************************** Beautiful finger-picking blues from St. John's with some of the finest local talent including Darrell Cooper, Steve Hussey, Sandy Morris, Glen Collins and Neil Rosenberg. Peter has played with tons of American blues greats and this album showcases his fine playing and songwriting. 15 originals and 2 classics make this the Blues highlight of the summer. Fred’s Records, http://www.freds.nf.ca/index.html ********************************** Narvaez recently issued a new CD entitled "Some Good Blues," a wonderful collection of 17 tracks featuring his unique acoustic style. You will detect a multitude of influences but Narvaez ensures that each track does not stray far from its blues roots. You can learn more by visiting http://www.rowdyblues.com Canadian Blues News, http://www.canadianblues.ca/newsletter.htm ********************************** In June, Peter released his first CD entitled, SOME GOOD BLUES, and as a result he got a nomination with ECMA 2003 for Blues Artist of The Year. His terrific voice is showcased throughout all of the numbers and all the songs written and performed by Peter are excellent and the choice of material is a mixture of up tempo and slower numbers. The CD contains many nice ballads with much texture, rhythm and life ... . Some ballads have amusing lyrics and some are mellower, serious and richly textured. All 17 songs on the CD are written and performed with excellence. Atlantic Seabreeze gives this fine CD a full 5 Star rating out of 5 Stars. ... Blues fans will love this CD! John Gavin, www.AtlanticSeabreeze.com | |
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