Search - Peter Keane :: Another Kind of Blue

A testament to old blues & hope for new folk

01/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Both Another Kind of Blue and Walkin' Around are exquisite testaments to Peter Keane's skill. Both are full of Keane's inspiring versions of songs from artist like Dave Van Ronk, Bob Dylan, and of course Mississippi John Hurt. Gems on Another kind of Blue include "Call it Sleep," "Another Kind of Blue" (like the album this song was inspired by Miles Davis's masterpiece "Kind of Blue"), "Everything's about the Same"... and almost every other song on the CD. Keane is a fantastic interpreter, and his voice can perfectly capture both the raw emotion of old delta blues and bob dylan and a brand of smooth melodic emotion that's all his own. Keane's innovative lyrics and can be playful and subtly funny as well as absolutely heartwrenching. I have seen Peter live twice, and he is a fantastic artist. I would reccomend both his CDs to anyone."

SKILLFUL MARRIAGE OF BLUES AND FOLK

Larry L. Looney | Austin, Texas USA | 09/03/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On this cd, Peter Keane continues to produce some of the most skillfully played, listenable music coming out of Austin over the last few years. He moved here from New England a few years ago -- and it's been very much to our gain to have the opportunity to hear him perform with the frequency of a 'local artist', but with the finesse and ability of one who should, by rights, be much more widely known and appreciated.Accompanied on this disc by Charlie Larkey (upright bass, who also did a nice job producing this release) and Richard White (drums), Keane's acoustic guitar playing -- amazing without being showy -- and vocals are framed nicely by the arrangements. With Chip Dolan adding his always-tasteful touches on organ, and some fine pedal steel work from Herb Steiner added here and there, the album has a 'just-right' feel -- the musicianship is excellent throughout, never getting in the way of the songs.And the songs...Keane's choices run from classic acoustic blues works by the likes of Mississippi John Hurt, Skip James, Blind Willie McTell and Big Joe Turner to the more contemporary blues of master Dave Van Ronk, to more singer-songwriter-oriented material by Steve James and Austin's own Chris Montgomery. Add to these some well-written originals by Keane himself, and you have a cd program that's very indicative of the mix you'd hear from Peter's trio if you're lucky enough to catch one of their live shows. This is not a case of a performer trying to put something into his set to please everyone -- it's an example of someone who knows that good songwriting knows no genre boundaries.Peter's voice is extremely versatile -- he's equally at home on a Delta blues from the 30s as on a tune he's written himself, or one that he's heard from another contemporary writer that has touched him in some way. Far from making for a disjointed, choppy selection, the songs flow gently and gracefully from one to the next, spanning styles and decades almost unnoticably.Every track on this cd is great, but I'll mention a few (to me) standouts. 'Columbus Avenue' is one of my favorite Keane originals, starting the album off nicely -- it's easy to hear his blues influences at work here. 'Illinois blues', a Skip James tune, gives us a taste of the music that lives so brightly in Keane's heart -- he calls James' music 'spooky', and it definitely has that feel to it. 'Call it sleep', by Chris Montgomery, is simply a beautifully-written, poignant song -- a working-class man hanging on to his day-to-day life by his fingernails, fighting the dull ache that tells him life should offer him more. 'Talco girl', by the great songwriter Steve James, contains lyrics that are incredibly full in their simplicity -- so much is conveyed so skillfully. The last track on the cd, 'Another kind of blue', is another Peter Keane original -- a beautiful, memorable melody and a great mood piece with which to finish up an evening (or this disc).Keane's musical heart and soul are definitely rooted firmly in the Delta blues tradition of the great players of the early 20th century -- but he is also his own man, adding his own touches to the classics and writing some of the finest contemporary acoustic music around today. He's an unassuming, un-posing, talented performer/writer who loves the music enough to let it speak for itself -- his relaxed, unpretentious style raises this music to a level that allows the listener to savor it as something special and rare, at the same time receiving it more like a gift from a neighbor or friend than as an untouchable piece of 'art'.Also highly recommended: Peter's WALKIN' AROUND (1996) on Flying Fish/Rounder. See him if he comes your way -- you won't regret it."

I can't stop playing this cd

Larry L. Looney | 08/09/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Keane doesn't disappoint with this, his third album. Keane has once again combined re-vamped classic blues (from the likes of Blind Willie McTell) with some contemporary covers (Dave Van Ronk's Sunday Street) and his own thoughtful originals. The traditional folk and blues influences are evident, especially on the tracks which highlight his exceptional fingerpicking technique. If you have ever heard Keane's music, you are left knowing it is only a matter of time before he is the next big thing in the "Americana" scene. Keane, like other singer-songwriters is best experienced live, but this cd captures the mood and energy of his live performances (though you will miss his funny commentary between songs). Another stellar album from a soon-to-be household name."