John Platania: Blues, Waltzes And Badland Borders

John Platania
Blues, Waltzes And Badland Borders
Train Wreck
2007-04-03

John Platania has worked with a lot of people ranging from Van Morrison to Natalie Merchant. His latest album is a strong, quality-filled instrumental-oriented project that kicks off with the tight, blues-tinged “Runnin’ with the Dogs”, showing off his chops quite well. Things go a different route with the barren but beautiful Mexican-influenced “Child Heroes” and the equally deliberate “East Texas Waltz”, reminiscent of Stevie Ray Vaughan. Other songs such as the breezy “Song for the Quiet One” are interspersed with spoken word moments. Perhaps the highlight here is the bluesy Texas feel oozing out of the aptly named “Texas Sexy Ways”. Like most instrumental albums though, there are some lulls such as the roadhouse feel of “Train Wreck” which seems to sag as it goes along. But the galloping “Tribute” certainly hits the spot.

RATING 6 / 10