This review is written by Kevin McCarthy, 9/01
mailto:celticfolkmusic@icogitate.com
"Kevin and Maxine’s Celtic & Folk Music CD Reviews"
http://www.icogitate.com/~celticfolkmusic/index.html
Isn't it a foremost desire of most artists that their work strongly affect others in some way or fashion? Vive la indifference is not a desired response. David LaMotte's music is a well-written introspective tableau that successfully provokes the listener to ponder the vicissitudes of his or her own life. We will all recognize ourselves or others throughout the selections on this release.
As he sings in "Deadline" of the family fallout from living life in the fast lane:
"...The little one gets presents for a little consolationHe goes point-counterpoint in "Saturday," singing of the need to slow down and stop every so often:
give her her own telephone but not much conversation
she asks them for a moment like a beggar for a dime
there's no time like the present, there's no present like time..."
"There's work to do, that's plain to see, the laundry pile is as high as meThe itinerant nature inherent in a musician's or any inveterate traveler's lifestyle is lamented in "Northbound," as LaMotte sings:
But the Beatles said just to let it be and that sounds like good adviceI've been needing one of these, no responsibilities
I've been needing one of these, Saturday..."
"...It's like I'm standing in line at a weddingCounteracting the bittersweetness of "Northbound" with "Dans La Louisiane," he sings of concluding a concert and then enjoying some late-night solitude simply exploring the area:
receiving the guests with a smile, for a moment a face fills my vision
I shake hands like a tired politician and I'd love just to talk for a whileBut the faces keep changing each moment, guessing at names I don't know
It's so hard to keep on believing, seems I spend so much time leaving
And so little time coming home..."
"...So I'm writing down this simple song with nothing much to sayAbout the choices we make and the paths we both travel and forsake, LaMotte sings:
except I'm thankful for the music and the privilege to play..."
"...They were sitting in the hot tub of a cheap resort hotelThe chorus goes:
they were toasting to the good life, but they didn't look too well
he said this is why you work for forty years and pay your dues
then she told me about his bypass, how he's careful with his food.."
"...Pay your money, take your choice, choose your vision, lose your voiceThe message in "Hold On" is seemingly the loveliest and most comforting message one could ever offer another:
tell the story with a sigh of a thousand roads not taken..."
"...When your eyes don't want to open, when all you feel is fearAlso worthy of mention are "Lens Cap" and "Stranger," two of LaMotte's more poetic offerings. Either one could easily stand alone, without musical backing.
when you wish someone would notice, and that you could disappear
in the company of silence, when you need someone to hold
let your tears fall on my shoulder, let your story rest untold, andHold on, hold on
take the dream in your pocket and lock it up safe
hold on for one more day..."
He possesses an easy-to-listen-to voice that works well with all the cuts, from slow to uptempo. But especially on the quieter songs, he draws the listener in with an almost hushed singing style.
Lamotte, on vocals and acoustic guitar, is assisted by Sean Halley on electric guitar; Dave Jette on drums; Michael Manring on bass; Keith Lowe on bass; Hans Teuber on flute, tenor sax and alto sax; David Lange on piano and Hammond E; Kristin deWitt, Christine Kane and Beth Wood on background vocals; Tom Dziekonski on violin and viola; Chris Rosser on dotar and electric guitar.
Copyright © 1998-2008 Kevin & Maxine’s Celtic & Folk Music CD Reviews. All rights reserved.
Ownership, copyright and title of this folk music CD review belongs to me, Kevin McCarthy. Ownership, copyright and title are not transferable or assignable to you or other parties regardless of how or if you or other parties use, copy, save, backup, store, retrieve, transmit, display, publish, modify or share the CD review in whole or in part. Please read the "Terms, Conditions and Disclaimer" section on my web site for additional information about using, quoting, or reprinting this CD review.
Send inquiries to: celticfolkmusic@icogitate.com.
Return to Kevin and Maxine’s Celtic & Folk Music CD Reviews home page.
To return to the last web page you visited, click the "Back" button that appears immediately below: