Dan Walsh
Album: The Same But Different
Label: Rooksmere
Tracks: 12
Website: http://www.danwalshbanjo.co.uk/

Until recently, ace banjo player Dan Walsh was one half of the duo Walsh and Pound [with Will Pound, harmonica wizard]. After three years and one highly regarded, eponymously titled album, they decided to go their separate ways at the end of November 2012.

Dan has now released his second solo album called "The Same But Different " and a cracker it is too !

Dan is widely regarded as "the finest banjo player in the UK" and has toured with Seth Lakeman. He has also been on stage with The Levellers, Martin Simpson and Alistair Anderson. As well as performing solo, Dan also has a new band which includes Rachel Newton from The Shee on harp and Adam Sinclair [New York Dolls and The Unthanks ] on drums. Also guesting on the album are American fiddle player Christi Andropolis and Nic Zuppardi on mandolin. Apart from a couple of songs and a couple of Trad.Arrs., Dan wrote or co-wrote all of the music and lyrics on this album, and the quality of the songs clearly demonstrates what a fine songwriter he is, as well as being a highly talented musician [and singer]. His eclectic style encompasses bluegrass, folk, Gypsy Jazz, rock and Arabic music, all of which are showcased on this excellent album.

The album begins with a set of Jigs played solo by Dan on banjo. The first song is a great version of the traditional " When A Man's In Love ", which features a funky dub/reggae groove courtesy of Jon Proud on bass and Adam Sinclair on drums, over which Dan and Rachel overlay intricate banjo and harp melodies. Dan's vocals are really strong as well. It's a very inventive treatment of a traditional folk song and works brilliantly.

The following song ["New Farming Scene"] was not written by Dan but comes from Edinburgh's excellent bluegrass/folk band Southern Tenant Folk Union. Dan's version of this song is easily as good as the original. Dan's own bluegrass song "The Wiseman" is a real blast, featuring great fiddle from Christi.

We have a total change of style for "Bread and Butter", a Gypsy Jazz instrumental featuring great interplay between Dan and mandolinist Nic Zuppardi.

Dan's prowess as a songwriter is clear from the title track "The Same But Different", a tribute to his home town which he left when he was 18 but he can still call it his own. "Darkness Descends" is another fine song which features some great harp from Rachel Newton.

"Snow In March" is a lovely instrumental played on solo banjo by Dan, with a superb use of harmonics. The instrumental theme continues with the exotic "Lesley's Cheesecakes" which incorporates the classic Bulgarian dance tune "Ruchenitsa". This is a wonderful track on which Dan's banjo sounds like no banjo ever sounded before. Great stuff.

The final song "More About You" is an angry song about the self-righteous people who think that the "people on stage are animals in a zoo but frankly it says more about you "!

The album closes with a set of Reels, the first of which has a totally unpronounceable title.

This is a highly accomplished album from a superb musician/singer/ songwriter and his excellent supporting musicians. It covers a breathtaking variety of different musical styles at which Dan and his band are equally adept. Highly recommended.

Peter Cowley