DAVE MOORE
Breaking Down to Three (Red House Records)
Reviewed by Eric Steiner

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Dave Moore has built a loyal following on his earlier Red House releases, Jukejoints and Cantinas and one of Pulse! magazine's top folk discs of 1990, Over My Shoulder. For fans of traditional American folk music in the John Prine or Steve Goodman tradition, there's a lot to like on Breaking Down to Three. Dave Moore has been a sideman for fellow-Iowan Greg Brown, founder of Red House Records, and part of Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion. Moore's neckrack harmonica shines on the upbeat opener, "Mr. Music" and turns ominous on "Midnight." "Magic Dust" and "Big Fool for You" show Moore's expert songwriting, while "Sharks Don't Sleep" and the sadly autobiographical "All the Time in the World" paint musical pictures in soft-focus, leaving us to fill in the details. While he's been compared to early Johnny Cash, I'd like to think his rich baritone rivals that of other great singer-songwriters like James McMurtry or John Stewart (the guitarist, not the talk show host). Moore's four leaf clovers may break down to three now and again, but this collection of heartfelt songs of reward multiple listenings.

Special Thanks to Tom Lounges of Midwest Beat Magazine

Track List:

Mr. Music * Sharks Don't Sleep * Midnight * Big Drafty House * Painting This Room * Let's Take Our Time and Do It Right * Magic Dust * Big Fool For You * All The Time in The World * Down to the River

© 1999 - Eric Steiner