Search - Danny Barnes :: Dirt on the Angel

Dirt on the Angel
Danny Barnes
Dirt on the Angel
Genres: Country, Blues, Folk, Pop, Rock
 
  •  Track Listings (15) - Disc #1

What comes after post-modernism? And is it mere nostalgia when you willfully channel the ambience, if not the intent, of a music that arguably peaked a generation or two before you were born? The answers may not be readily...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Danny Barnes
Title: Dirt on the Angel
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Terminus Records
Original Release Date: 1/1/2003
Re-Release Date: 8/12/2003
Genres: Country, Blues, Folk, Pop, Rock
Styles: Americana, Bluegrass, Classic Country, Contemporary Blues, Traditional Blues, Regional Blues, Texas Blues, Acoustic Blues, Traditional Folk, Contemporary Folk
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 694205030322

Synopsis

Amazon.com
What comes after post-modernism? And is it mere nostalgia when you willfully channel the ambience, if not the intent, of a music that arguably peaked a generation or two before you were born? The answers may not be readily apparent on this marvelous, deeply rooted, yet impossibly free album by the former frontman of Austin's Bad Livers; that it merely inspires such musings is impressive enough. Barnes' countryfied tack belies an intellect as wryly cutting as Randy Newman's, fingers as soulfully nimble as Ry Cooder's and a sense of history whose fervency rivals T Bone Burnett's--did we forget to mention Ives and R. Crumb?--yet the sum of the whole is distinctly his own. The product of collaborations with guitarist Bill Frisell, violinist Darol Anger (who penned the album's jaunty instrumental "Barnes Away") and others, filtered through a self-produced sonic sensibility that suggests some lost trove of '40s country 78s, Barnes's bluegrass-with-a-bop attitude transcends boundaries of genre and era with an effortlessness that's as deceptive as it is compelling. Whether skewering modern heartland myths ("Life in the Country") with a banjo twang, powering the ambitiously goofy stream-of-consciousness of "I Like My Chicken Hot" with pianist Chuck Leavell's nervous jazz chords or furthering his only occasionally metaphorical food obsessions with the lovely "Popcorn and Wine" and the exuberantly cornpone "Peanut Butter is a Man's Best Friend," Barnes sense of joyous adventure is palpable here. Yet solid, more traditional ballads like "Face to Face" masterfully anchor it to the longing concerns of a near century of country music. His cover choices (the antipodal traditionals "Kitchen Floor Waltz" and "Keep My Skillet Good and Greasy"; a wistful take on the Faces' "Ooh La La"; a freeform jam of Beck's "Loser") are eclectic yet nigh-perfect, forceful reminders that traditions are nothing if not continually tweaked and built upon. --Jerry McCulley

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Member CD Reviews

Dwayne H. (Dwayne2000) from BAYTOWN, TX
Reviewed on 6/7/2008...
This is the guy that sings for Bad Livers. It's a good enough bluegrass album. The cover of Oh La La is good.

CD Reviews

I 2nd the 6 Stars.
lambanjo | Dewey in Portage County, WI | 04/05/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Expressive, playful, powerful!!!!
I would have to give this 5 stars + also.
A musician's musician if you would. Hasn't left the top of my stereo since it came out. As far as I'm concerned it's just another stellar album in a discography that is at the top of the genre of Americana music. Is that actually a genre yet? As I find myself saying at Danny's live shows "What in the hell is he playing here?".
Some damn fine music that's what. You won't be disappointed with this fine music."
What a genius
Bradley Chodos Irvine | Seattle, WA United States | 02/25/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have played this CD more often since I bought it at a Danny Barnes show 2 months ago than I would have guessed possible. He is a wonderful song writer, incredible player - just a genius on guitar and banjo. You get his sense of humor and good natured showmanship when you see him live, and that shines through on this CD as well. Plus - what a killer band. The back and forth on "peanut butter..." with Darol Anger is great. I had the good fortune to see him again just last night here in Seattle. Damn, the man can play! People who say they hate the banjo need to open their ears and check this guy out. He is just a smokin' improvisational player."