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REVIEW OF JOHN DOWLING'S "HAND ROLLED" CD by HOUSE OF PLANK
One of the hardest things to attempt or achieve is to walk out on stage
with just a banjo and entertain an audience. The 5 string banjo
is difficult to play and so it takes a special person to hold peoples
attention because without a band to accompany or cover up for you
then every note becomes a challenge. I have seen John perform several
times in many situations and this banjo player has the knack and
indeed the ‘bottle’ to produce a faultless performance
each time. It was probably why he won the biggest banjo competition
in the USA, John can play under pressure.Therefore I was delighted
to receive his new solo CD called ‘HAND ROLLED’ and
knew that I was in for a rare treat.
The opening track certainly surprised me....violin music!! ..different!!... and pleasant too...and then track two brings us into John’s forte, brilliant banjo playing from a young masterful musician. Each of the 12 tracks is different in its own musical content. Three of the instrumental tracks are ‘covers’of old musical standards. Who would expect ‘Waltzing Matilda’ a wonderful old folk song and ‘Lady Madonna’ that Beatles rock classic to be on the same CD and played as a solo on a 5 string banjo......but it works and works well too!!
o
n.
‘HAND ROLLED’ is well balanced with John singing on three of the
tracks and so we are treated to vocals as well as instrumental compositions.
I thought the whole CD was intelligently and tastefully thought out and played
and produced. John has local musicians assisting him and this CD is as good
as anything I have heard from the best professional players anywhere . There
again if you can fly across the pond and win the most coveted banjo contest
then you must be an exceptional player and this CD is indeed just that ...
exceptionally good. I hope that all the HOUSE OF PLANK banjo players and music
lovers support this splendid British product... home made and hand played and ‘HAND
ROLLED’ to perfection.i
(To purchase this item, please click here)
Copyright © 2006 John Dowling.
All rights reserved.
Revised: February 1st 2007
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