Reviews
Artist:Dave Sutherland Album: Last Drop Of Empty
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 10
Website: https://davesutherland.bandcamp.com
Dave Sutherland is a very experienced and well-travelled singer/songwriter with a two-decade stint in the music business on both sides of the Atlantic. From the initial harmonica riff of 'Ghosts', the clear single of the album, it is obvious that Dave has put a huge amount of time and effort into sculpting and layering this record. Ghosts is built upon a bassline full of personality from Hot Tuna bass player Jack Casady and has some great barroom piano playing that enhances the atmospheric jaunty tale of separation and love 'Oh I don't think she's gonna marry, I don't think he's hauling home'. I am sure that this track will generate Dave considerable airplay. In 'One true Love', the feel becomes more country blues with some wonderful guitar picking lines and a very emotional fiddle answering Dave's vocal lines. I particularly enjoyed this as the player, although with a clearly classical bent knows how to embellish without overplaying.
In 'Ever Changing Skyline', Dave laments the passing of a London with personality 'the few and the many picking up the penny'. The listener can really feel the ghosts of the Thames Path. His singing on this really hits the mark and Dave makes the most of his vocal range with an emotive voice. At times, I feel he has the ability to also reach out to a British folk audience with a touch of Shane McGowan and Steve Knightly thrown into the mix.
In Money Can Do the versatility of the musicianship comes into play with Dave switching very effectively onto a nylon strung guitar and the bass playing once again coming to the fore. It reminds me a bit of Nick Drake with Danny Thompson. The London flavour of the album then really comes to the palate with 'From the Vauxhall Tavern to the Deptford Broadway' and the choice of cello in the accompaniment is inspired. You can feel the sawdust under your feet in the Vauxhall Tavern and hear the ghost of the 12 Bar Club waiting to be reclaimed from the wrecking ball!
The album retains a melancholic feel through the confessions of 'Damaged' where Dave laments being 'damaged, unravelled, undone'. He overcomes the dangers of such self-confession with a fine turn of phrase and aptly seeking help from an excellent female harmony. To my ear, this reminded me a little bit of the work of Jason Isabel and fans of Southern Country will certainly enjoy this track.
In 'Most of The Things That You Are', Dave duets in waltz time with a female voice that is very distinctive. The result is very beautiful tale of love, with a very moving bond developing between the older man the younger female singer. This suits the tale of the song where I sense Dave may have discovered a new love.
In 'Yorkshire Grey', Dave has a tilt at a more Irish country sound and his choice of accordion really suits underpinning a higher vocal performance. 'Down To the Last Drop of Empty', the closing track continues in a similar vein with a more traditional folk bent. This is a more of a pub sing-along type of track and Dave finishes the album in an upbeat fashion.
This is an album with influences from British and Celtic folk to Country ragtime and modern Southern Americana. It has been recorded to a very high quality and Dave has put his heart and soul into performing the songs and honing a diverse range of arrangements. Dave's a very skilled, guitar picker and I'm sure that he can perform these songs very capably live. If you would like to reminisce about a London from 40 years ago, then this album will strike a definitive chord with you and transport you back to a golden era of a working river and eclectic pub entertainment. Dave deserves to get some serious attention from the UK Americana movement with this record and he should be congratulated on producing a very fine and diverse album.
Andy Smythe
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