DAVID HARLOW
The Brief History Of David Harlow (Bloodred)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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There are only seven tracks on this debut EP from singer/songwriter David Harlow, but he covers a lot of ground in the short form release. Harlow is making a bid for musical life beyond the St. Louis coffehouse/bookstore circuit he's been working for several years, splitting his time between his hometown and Nashville while refining the material that makes up The Brief History Of David Harlow. Too brief, really, although leaving 'em wanting more is traditionally good advice in show biz, and Harlow's definitely left me wanting more of his well crafted, distinctively performed pop music.

The tracks here are split between full band arrangements and solo acoustic performances (one, "Far Away," is presented in both settings), and Harlow shines in either format. His voice moves from a slightly nasal tenor to an unusually effective falsetto, and he shapes his arrangements around his range. His guitar work on the solo pieces isn't going to make those Nashville cats in the next studio nervous about their employment, but once again, he does a journeyman's job of picking in service to his songs. And the songs are, ultimately, the thing in the singer/songwriter marketplace. Fact is, there are a lot more great singers and excellent pickers than there are competent songwriters, and Harlow is several steps above competent. Whether an upbeat pop-rocker or a folky ballad, he writes literate love songs and tells stories worth hearing. Worth hearing again and again. Worth hearing more of.

Here's hoping the next installment in his history is unabridged.

Track List:

Far Away * Lay Me Down To Sleep * Winona * All 'Cause Of You * Kindness In Carbondale * Katy's Gone Away * Far Away (acoustic bonus cut)

[Pick this up at www.davidharlow.com.]

© 2002 - Shaun Dale