Post by jptheprofessor on Apr 2, 2006 22:31:01 GMT -5
DAVE BLACKLEDGE – SPREAD IT ON THICK (no label) Bloomsburg-based singer, songwriter, guitarist and humorist Dave Blackledge has carved a unique niche in the state’s music scene over the past few years with his blend of acoustic folk melodies and comedy. On previous albums such as Straight From the Gut, You Ain’t Gettin’ No Cherry and Corned Beef Rehash, Dave applied differing acoustic and electric arrangements to his material, with varied results. But on his newest release, Spread It On Thick, he hits a clear-cut home run. On this album, Dave teams up with ‘Some Drunk Bar Band,’ whose members include Badlees guitarist Bret Alexander and drummer Ron Simasek, Scott Fritz on fiddle and banjo, and Dan Greak on blues harp. The result, over the album’s ten tracks, is Dave’s humorous song material being more fully developed and fleshed out by the band, giving the songs bolder contexts and moods that amplify their comic impact. Dave’s rowdy and rugged voice, coupled with the group’s rollicking and rocking backdrop, boosts the comedic impact of such songs as the album opener “Whoops, I Pooped My Pants,” “Drama Queen,” “I Blew Up My Date,” “She’s Not Bad for an Old Bar Hag” and “Your Butt’s Too Fat to Dance Like That.” Conversely, a reserved acoustic folk arrangement is a perfect set-up for Dave’s clever and introspective examination of having to get it all out of his system on “I’m Not This Fat, Just Constipated.” An acoustic folk blues arrangement helps paints the perfect smoky bar setting for “You Ain’t Gettin’ No Cherry,” while a country sound puts us in the pasture for Dave’s bovine daydream “If I Was A Cow, I’d Be Mad Too.” Recorded at Saturation Acres Recording Studio in Danville, Spread It On Thick sounds full and complete, yet basic and to the point, allowing Dave Blackledge’s comic observations to be front, center, and in your face. Spread It On Thick slams the exclamation point on this performer’s advertised credo: “The guy AIN’T right!” This album makes the perfect introduction into Dave Blackledge’s twisted mind and world; a good-sounding set that brings new life to this performer’s best song creations, and likely a grin to your mug. (The album can be obtained through Dave Blackledge’s website, www.daveblackledge.com.)