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15 October 2003
Geoff Muldaur, Beautiful Isle of Somewhere (Tradition & Moderne GmbH)
This live recording is a testament to the fact the fine acoustic guitar playing can rival any amplified notes any time and any place. Recorded during a European tour in Germany in May, 1999, this performance opens with the lovely "The Common Cold" and continues effortlessly into "My Tears Came Rolling Down". Muldaur has the soul of Stevie Ray Vaughan and delivers the same intensity. The nearness of the music is Muldaur's most endearing trait, especially as the audience hangs on every note. Even the slower blues style of "Gee Baby Ain't I Good to You" is excellent. Another high moment is "Motherless Child", bringing just as much oomph as Clapton's version on From the Cradle. "Just a Little While to Stay Here" has a somewhat gospel leaning to it while "I Can't See Your Face Anymore" is your standard old-time blues tune. Muldaur only penned two of these tracks, including "Got to Find Blind Lemon Part 1", but each song he makes his own with his fine picking and equally experienced vocals. "Trouble Soon Be Over" and "Drop Down Mama" are some of the greatest tunes here, especially the toe-tapping groove created on the latter. Wrapping up with the title track, Muldaur has proven Richard Thompson correct -- there are three white blues singers and Geoff Muldaur is two of them.
— Jason MacNeil
.: posted by Editor 11:03 AM
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