© Bluestronomical Publishing Inc. 2009

Colin Linden
From the Water
True North #2063805262 

If the blues purists can't be happy with Colin Linden's CD release From The Water, then they never can be satisfied with anything. From The Water is a collection of songs done acoustically by Linden backed by veteran/session players. If you are looking for in-your-face blues rock to knock you top-side, this is the wrong area.

The CDs compositions are primarily Colin’s with a few collaboration's here and there. Linden could have gone the easy route and covered chestnuts by blues masters that could be found on other CDs. He is confident in his songwriting that if it pays respect to tradition, he might be doing something right.

What you get are songs relaxing enough to listen to without having to jolt out of your chair. The music is organic mixed with a down home flavor. Certainly the title track "From The Water," is an upbeat enough opener to catch a listener's interest with Colin's catchy acoustic hook. Harmonica player Paul Reddick punches up "Trouble Comes in 3's" and "Devilment" with his harmonica phrases. The gospel "I Have Seen A Miracle" although heartfelt just moves too slowly to stir a wellspring of emotions. "Later Than You Think" sees Linden rising to the occasion with an acoustic lead solo that is perfect for the song's jug-band rhythm.

The ensemble playing behind Linden starts to get raucous in "The Price You Pay" with its up-tempo rhythms, and the weirdly titled "John Lennon In New Orleans" ambles slowly along in its own folky way.

Linden crafts a piece of work that may not go down like gangbusters, but is sure better and honest then mainstream radio which promotes images and not musicians.

- Gary Weeks -


Southwest Blues CD Review - July 2009

Current Reviews  -  2009 Reviews  -  available at our store