The title of David Rotundo's debut, Blowin' For Broke,is apt indeed. David, you see, is a harmonica player. And while there may be others of that breed with greater technical skills, more refined chops, few indeed play with as much passion and sheer exuberance.

From the very first notes of the leadoff track, Make Up Your Mind, fans of the 'Mississippi saxophone' will be in harp heaven with this one. With a squalling tone that hits with an almost visceral punch, David blasts off and doesn't let up for the duration of the disc's dozen tracks, all band originals with David himself taking the bulk of the songwriter credits. (Multi-talented Bassist Shane Scott, who engineered, mixed, and mastered everything at his own Bassline Studio, co-wrote a pair, with guitarist Peter Schmidt helping out on "P.T. Shuffle").

Peter's presence contributes much to the disc's success. A guitarist of exceptional intelligence, he constructs his solos with a storyteller's sense of tension and resolution, his clean lines showing a strong T-Bone influence. David's longtime sidekick, Julian Fauth, shines on keys, content for the most part to contribute rumbling rhythmic support, with occasional sparkling runs adding texture to the mix. Both are ideal accompanists, sympathetic to David's needs, stepping out only when called for.

David, too, favours an uncluttered approach, each note shaped and sculpted with care. Tone rules, and David's is nothing short of spine tingling. His playing isn't about dazzling dexterity or dizzying speed; rather, he seems irresistible enamoured of the pure sound of the harp. Equally proficient on both diatonic and chromatic, he coaxes a full, fat sound out of that tiniest of instruments, with the sheer sonic force of a runaway freight train. In lesser hands a little lickin' stick goes a long way; David's of that rare breed that can sustain interest for as long as he chooses to keep blowin'.

The playlist sticks largely to the tried and true, with Chicago-style grinders (I'm Into It, Punching Bag Man) and Texas shuffles (P. T. Shuffle) predominating. My Leg Is Shakin is a jumping New Orleans-flavoured romp, so cool it's reprised with an alternate take later on.

Vocally, David sounds a little stretched on the closer, a stop-time Devil In A Dress. A take on Muddy's classic "Hoochie Coochie" riff; he simply doesn't have the authority to pull this one off. Elsewhere he's thoroughly convincing, untrained perhaps but with a raw and real energy that more than makes up for any technical shortcomings. Production is ideal, with just a hint of echo for that classic sound and the harp way out front where it belongs.

An auspicious and accomplished debut, and as fine a slice of gritty, raucous, and real blues as you're likely to hear this or any year. Highly recommended!

Copyright 2003. Review by John Taylor.