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- Reviews
of Solo -
Downbeat
July 2003 - Frank-John Hadley
MacKenzie shows so much empathy for country
blues doing his tradition-bound songs and his adaptations of Muddy
Waters’ “Too Young To Know” and
Sleepy John Estes’ “Little Laura” that
you have to wonder why this singer/guitarist/dobro player isn’t
better known. Maybe it’s because the Nashville picker puts perfecting
his art before self-promotion.
Guitar One
July 2003 - Dave Rubin
The Nashville cat plays solo acoustic country
blues like nobody’s business on this excellent set of mostly
original tunes. His wood, steel, and 6- and 12-string guitars display
maximum warmth and resonance. MacKenzie struts his stuff like a modern-day
Robert Johnson on “Two Drags”.
Blues on Stage
This year marks the tenth anniversary of Hey
Baby! Records, the company started by bluesman Dave
MacKenzie. All three of his previous albums were very well
received on both sides of the pond. MacKenzie's latest effort, "Solo," where
he concentrates on playing acoustic guitar appears destined to follow
suit.
The opener, "That Rainy Day's Comin'," which
was inspired by financial advice from Henry Townsend, offers a good snapshot
of MacKenzie's talents. He is an adept slide guitarist, with vocals that always
fit the song just about right. Like all the tunes here, it was recorded live
in the studio. Those listening out for MacKenzie's wry sense of humor have to
wait until the third track, "Two Girlfriends",
which also features some fine fingerpicking on a song based on a Blind Willie
McTell theme.
All the tunes are MacKenzie originals, with two exceptions. The first
is Sleepy John Estes' "Little Laura", where
MacKenzie uses slide guitar to fine effect. The only other cover is also dominated
by slide guitar, when MacKenzie delivers an impassioned slice of delta blues
with Muddy Waters' "Too Young To Know"
There is plenty of fingerpicking guitar on display too, and when
it is combined with MacKenzie's humorous lyrics it is certain to raise a smile
on anybody's face. Classic examples of this are "Big Ol' Girls" "If
Jesus Comes Back" and "Rats In My Bedroom" The
image of roaches racing rats around MacKenzie's home on the latter is one that
certainly stays with you!
MacKenzie's more serious side is best exemplified by "Back
In The Day" which tackles the notion that things were better "in
our day." MacKenzie points out that people went through hard times, and
he, for one, does not want to go back. His guitar playing on this one calls to
mind some of Lonnie Johnson's finest work, straying towards jazz territory. He
also veers into this area with some nice jazzy chording on "She
Ain't No Southern Girl" as he highlights the differences between
northern and southern girls.
After "Jumpin' On Jefferson" where
MacKenzie name checks two of Nashville's finest blues artists--Marion James and
Johnny Guitar Jones--and "Stumblin' Home" MacKenzie
rounds off in style with "A Better Way" Once
more the tune is dominated by slide, this time shifting more into Gospel territory.
Blind Willie Johnson shines through on a rousing song that ensures that you do
not forget "Solo" in a hurry.
"Solo" is another mighty fine
album from Dave MacKenzie. Anyone who likes acoustic blues will find plenty here
to enjoy. The album works as background music, and equally rewards those who
like to analyze the music and/or the lyrics. "Solo" will certainly
be in this reviewer's top 10 albums for 2003. Highly recommended.
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Reviews
of Old, New, Borrowed & Blue
Living Blues
March/April, 2000
Whether covering the songs of his blues heros (Arthur
Crudup, Muddy Waters, Furry Lewis, Sylvester Weaver) or singing one
of his lyrically fascinating originals (try Preachin' to
the Choir or Girlfriend Blues'
tale of sapphic betrayal),singer/songerwriter/ acoustic guitarist Dave
MacKenzie plays and sings with an easy and unassuming style that belies
his mastery of pre-war blues guitar, both slide and picked. MacKenzie's
skill with the Robert Johnson cannon (Me and the Devil)
is far better than most, and Jet Lag Johnson (a
darkly hillarious musician's lament many will be familiar with) is
just one of this disc's vignettes portraying life on the cusp of the
new millennnium. If you like Roy Book Binder Old, New,
Borrowed & Blue will be in your CD player a lot.
Blues Access
Spring, 2000
Dave Mackenzie is extremely comfortable with the old
ways. His sterling Old, New, Borrowed & Blue spotlights
just 6 strings and one voice, recorded live at The Nest, Nashville,
TN. Though he does a Furry Lewis cover and a few more oldies, the meat
of this release is MacKenzies easy-rolling originals, sung in a weary
voice a la J.J. Cale and loaded with poor man's poetry. MacKenzie's
sharp wit is sometimes turned on himself. After he cuffs a few notes
on one cut, he says, "This is the kind of guitar playing keeps
Chet Atkins up at night...laughing like crazy." But if you ain't
Atkins you're liable to find MacKenzie a spirited player and singer
who mesmerizes throughout this truely fine set.
Blues Revue
April, 2000
Dave MacKenzie chops a lot of sound out of an old acoustic, and Old,
New, Borrowed & Blue (Black & Tan Records)
rings with pure six-string joy. The rhythm section bookmarks MacKenzie's
nimble chords and licks without smothering them; his singing leaps
above the mix. Best Cut: the medley of Steel Guitar
Rag and I'm So Glad.
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Reviews
of All New Slender Man Blues
Blues Gazette
(Belgium)
This CD like Dave's previous release "Rats
In My Kitchen", carries the following warning
on the CD case: PURIST WARNING: This album contains some
songs which are not blues, but don't let this put you
off, because although Dave plays a variety of Southern roots music,
it will all have appeal to most blues lovers and especially those
whose particular preferences tend to the acoustic based styles
of the genre. The first thing you notice about Dave is that he
is a superb guitarist, whether on acoustic, electric or slide,
and mandolin (all of which are featured on this CD), with a penchant
for story telling in his often wry and humorous lyrics, which at
times are so entertaining you either don't notice or forget that
a particular song is not a straight blues. The first track "Start
the Party" does exactly that, a real swinger
that features elements of jazz and Western Swing with Dave's superlative
guitar picking propelled by the excellent rhythm section of Oscar
R. Veterano (guitar), John Vogt (bass) and Paul Griffith (drums),
and doesn't ease up until the final track "Sure
'Nuff Shame" (a shame that it finishes so quickly),
a song that draws its influences from a wide eclectic base but
is highlighted by some great guitar picking, Blind Boy Fuller style.
In between we are treated to some stunning slide and mandolin on "Slender
Man Blues", a song that extols the virtues of
the tall, scrawny lover when it says "If you want to find
the sweetest meat, you got to get right down to the bone",
which mixes Muddy and Yank Rachell replete with Hammie Nixon style
harp (another of Dave's multi-talented facets), the swinging N'awlins
styled "Honeymoon Mambo" with
more of that haunting slide and Longhair styled piano from the
Rev Billy C. Wirtz, the late night feel of "Blues
Give A Lesson" with Dave's understated guitar
meshing flawlessly with Wirtz's mellow piano and the Yank Rachell
styled "What She Like To Do" where
Dave bemoans the fact that "what she likes to do all night,
takes me all night to do". If you take heed of the purist
warning and give this CD a miss, you'll be missing out on a real
treat from an artist who is a songster in the old tradition, based
in the blues but primarily an entertainer, able and willing to
play whatever the situation and audience demands.
Mick Rainsford
All New Slender Man Blues
This creator and performer of boogie\rag has his etiquette: "Purist
warning: this album contains some songs which are not blues." One
understands this attitude, which treats friends to guitars (acoustic
and electric), slide, mandolin, backed up by bass, drums and piano
if need be, is far from being sad or congealed in the fillets of grilles.
As a signer and instrumentalist, Dave is strongly honest in a domain
already saturated by affectation.
I contacted Hey Baby Records for Dave MacKenzie (above). But the
most beautiful discovery is his companion, Adie Gray, and her
voice. Don't believe that modest, down home "back porch" sleeve. On
a repertoire in large part of Dave and which one would believe comes from an
anthology of traditionals, Adie offers a collection of folk grass, with touches
of blues and gospel of absolute beauty. Beautiful voice, vibrant harmonies and
accompaniment on a biblical level with Wynonna Judd, Albert Lee, John Hartford,
David Schnaufer and other less known but good players. Listen to "Mr.
Roy", a touching allusion to her childhood, with Roy Acuff "on
the radio", that should talk over a kid. A musical family, in every sense
of the word, like the real food, the revelation of this chronicle: an album that
is again on our turntables and which one doesn't tire of. Bravo...
Le CRI (France)
" . . . it all flies by so smoothly you can almost miss the
fact that he's quite a player, tasty, economical, and very accomplished.
. . .well above the blues crowd vying for the hand-speed record. Nice."
- Dirty Linen
" I really like Dave's songs . . . fine additions to the country
and party blues repertoire." - Blue Suede
News
" An excellent set of acoustic "Southern Roots"music
that encompasses blues, gospel, western swing, and string band elements
. . . Give this CD a listen. I'm sure you won't regret it."
- British Blues Connection
" Want to hear some great, new, original blues tunes? This guy
is destined for bigger things." - Texas Blues
Magazine
" . . . a real treat from an artist who is a songster in the
old tradition."
- Blues Gazette
(Belgium)
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Reviews
of Rats in my Bedroom
"Boy is this music refreshing! Take my word for it - if you
like country blues with a sense of humor, you'll love this." - Blue
Suede News
"Hard to pick a fave - his 11 originals are so consistently
crafted, accessible and credible. . . it's a jukebox hoot."
- Performing Songwriter
"... mellow, soulful slide guitar, clever original songwriting,
and an easygoing singing voice. This release is grounded in Southern
roots-both black and white-but is hardly a museum piece, as MacKenzie
gives freshness to a mixed bag of traditional licks. ." -
Acoustic Guitar
"He is an artist of Tom Waits, Randy Newman, and Jimmy Buffet's
caliber . . . (the songs) are original jewels created by a knowledgeable
craftsman." - IL Blues (Italy)
"All in all, a pleasant listen from a performer I'd very much
like to see playing live in Britain." - BluePrint
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