DAVE ISAACS
Prodigal Son (Shadow Brook Records)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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I first heard Dave Isaacs in his role as leader of Jackalope Junction, a real fine country band from the unlikely locale of Long Island, NY. He was so good at doing that, that I figured that was pretty much what he does. As a result, when Isaacs dropped me a note to say he had a new solo album in the works, I though I had a pretty good idea what it was going to be. To the degree that I though it was going to be real good music, I was absolutely right. To the degree that I thought it was going to sound pretty much like Jackalope Junction (and that's a greater degree than I really want to admit to) I couldn't have been more wrong.

So first off, Dave, my apologies. I should know better than to stereotype an artist on the basis of a single album, and by now I should know that someone who can do one thing very well can probably do some other things pretty damn well. In Dave Isaacs' case, he can write a great country song, but he can also write a pretty pop song, in more than one style. In fairness, there are some country, or at least folkie, elements creeping through here and there, but never the straight out honky tonk of Jackalope Junction. There are some pretty solid rock edges, too, though, and some satisfyingly jazzy moments. Whatever pieces of the pop spectrum he selects from for any particular track, though, he displays a genuine gift for songcraft.

This an impressively multifaceted offering from a musician I was already pretty impressed by. I encourage you to track it down.

Track List:

Isabella * Never Giving Up * Wolf At The Door * Into Blue * The Moon * What I Have To Do * Moment Of Grace * When I Die * Elegy (instrumental)

© 2003 - Shaun Dale