Narvaez, PeterSome Good Blues2002Independent7502041412

Narvaez, Peter - Some Good Blues - 2002 - Independent - 7502041412

Written by John Taylor

The music industry, in its infinite wisdom, has decided blues is best lumped into a generic "roots" category. That would imply, of course, that the music is based on tradition, and that its roots remain an essential source of inspiration.

So what's one to make of a bluesman who hails from Newfoundland, where one might reasonably assume all roots are firmly planted in Celtic soil?

Peter Narvaez discovered acoustic blues in high school, "when a friend played me a recording of Blind Lemon Jefferson," say the liner notes on his debut, Some Good Blues.

He's since made it a lifelong pursuit, having appeared and/or jammed with the likes of Skip James, Yank Rachell, Sleepy John Estes, and Fred McDowell. And fortunately he's done so very much on his own terms. So while Peter borrows freely from the roots of the form, his songs sitting for the most part firmly within that traditional vein, he adds his own voice to proceedings.

But again, in Peter's case "tradition" incorporates more than just 12-bar convention. So there are songs here (The Stove, an ode to the simple pleasures of sitting around same, in which the stove is cast in a distinctively feminine light) that have more in common with folk music than blues. Indeed, Peter's lyrical concerns are very much those of everyday life.

Make Some Time (Beeper Blues) is all about the need to escape from the intrusions of modern life; Organically Grown is a lighthearted contemplation of what we put into our bodies. Mean And Dirty (Low Down And Ugly Too) takes a wry look at how love grows cold and the resultant breakdown in communications; Fat Cats (Keep Getting Fatter) leaves little doubt about Peter's views on rampant profiteering. And Black Fly Moan is a blues tune about something many Canadians are all too familiar with; how's that for relevance?

Peter's fingerpicking is as fleet and agile as required (nothing showy, just good), and he also contributes fine rack harmonica and a bit of mandolin; he's usually accompanied by one of several guitarists (Glen Collins and Darrell Cooper appearing most frequently). There's one band track, the traditional Bad Blood Mama, a holdover from 1979; I'm not sure why Peter would have chosen to include it here. It's not bad, but it's a bit out of place. With the disc clocking in with a generous 17 tracks, its inclusion seems unnecessary.

Peter Narvaez may not share the same roots as the typical - make that stereotypical - bluesman. But blues must come from the heart, and it's to Peter's credit and our advantage that he's chosen to explore his own roots; the results make for a fascinating and musically rewarding experience. This one's a keeper!

Copyright 2003. Review by John Taylor.

< Prev		Next >

[ Back ]

WHAT'S NEW

Sponsored Links

SPONSORED LINKS

POLLS

SYNDICATE