Thanks so much to C.W. Ross Senior Writer for Indie Music Stop..........Fantastic Writer!!!!
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The first thing you'll notice after Todd's latest release 'Sweet Cynthia' and the Nashville Music Co. starts to play is that this isn't your everyday cookie cutter type music. Todd's music is a blend of everything from folk, bluegrass, and rock to the blues.
Todd's uses unique guitar tuning and guitar techniques to achieve that sound. Todd refers to his style of playing, "as slide 'collage' guitar."
While the music grabs your attention it's the song lyrics that keeps it. Todd is a published poet and treats his lyrics like 'song poems'. Todd's philosophy on his songwriting is that he works to write, "stand alone lines worthy of a wall."
If you had to pick other artist to compare him to names like, John Prine, Bob Dylan, and Ben Harper come to mind. On several of the songs I could really hear the Dylan vocal sound.
I really liked the mixture of instrumentation found on 'Sweet Cynthia' and the Nashville Music Co. Todd's guitar playing is stellar along with his banjo, mandolin, bass, and harmonica work.
You'll also find a lot of nice percussion work in the songs. You'll even find an instrument credit listed in the CD's booklet for a coffee can.
For those of you like myself who enjoy some 'hill music' the song, "J-boy Coin & the Whisky Horn" will have you foot stomping and hand clapping to it's beat.
You also find Todd's version of the Memphis Mini and Led Zeppelin song, "When the Levee Breaks."
On the last track titled, "Weep" Todd's harmonica playing really brings the song to life. With it's slightly rock beats it has a sound very reminiscent of the band Blues Traveler.
This release has a spiritual undertone that runs through it that I'll let you interpret for yourself after hearing the songs.
The more I listened to this release the more I liked it. Each time my ears picked out new little nuances and beats that peaked my ears up.
Do yourself a favor and get 'Sweet Cynthia' and the Nashville Music Co. Your ears will thank you!
