BEN DEMERATH
Ship Of Fools (Compass Records)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Throughout most of Ship Of Fools, Ben Demerath's second solo release, his roots as a founding member of the neo-Bluegrass unit SugarBeat are revealed only through the clarity and taste of his flatpicking style and a certain high lonesome quality to his vocals. The songs, though, whether the eight originals or covers from the likes of Townes Van Zandt and Richard Thompson, lean toward more conventional pop and country styles. That might offer Demerath a inroad with some new audiences. With pickin', singin' and songwriting this good, he deserves some new listeners, and if the old ones can't handle a little change of emphasis, well, they'll be the losers.

Because Top 40 radio will never, ever play this music, Demerath is going to have to work pretty damn hard to reach those new audiences. Fortunately, he's willing to get out there and his skills are such that he's been able to share stages with Peter Rowan, Al Stewart, Shawn Colvin and other. If he can get the exposure, and sell the records, it won't be long before there will be a legion of young players bragging about the time they got a chance to open for Ben Demerath.

You, of course, can make his task easier by seeking out and purchasing this CD. You'll be doing yourself a favor at the same time.

Track List:

Every Shade Of Blue * Your Town * Farther Stars * Man Of Constant Sorrow * Farewell, Farewell * Little One * This Wave * No Need * Wings On Your Shoulders * Rake * Jack Of Fools * Age

© 2000 - Shaun Dale