Cascade Blues Music Reviews Little Wonder Dave Mullany Music Review Index

Music Review Reprint from the
February, 2003 BluesNotes
By Greg Johnson

• Sweet Home Chicago
• Key To The Highway
• Baby, Please Don't Go
• Little Wonder
• Mr. Engineer
• Neon Oasis
• Hesitation Blues
• Walkin' Blues
• When I'm Gone
• Love In Vain
• I Love You
• Whistlin' Rag
  

By: Greg Johnson

    Dave Mullany is an extraordinary musician who proves that you do not have to exhibit incredible flash and over-powering stage presence to deserve attention. A mild-mannered individual, Mullany uses soft-spoken, straight-ahead vocalization and adept string-work to deliver picture-perfect readings of his material. Selections on this release are evenly split between original ballads and classic Blues standards. His self-penned numbers are filled with emotion and he exhibits the often neglected less-is-more attitude of playing that many musicians would learn a great deal from taking the same lead.

    Most of the album finds Mullany working in a solo setting on acoustic and National Steel guitars, as well as harmonica on the opening track, Robert Johnson's, "Sweet Home Chicago." Acoustic treasure Mary Flower joins him on guitar on three pieces, including a nice reading of "Hesitation Blues," and harp man David Lipkind also sits in on a trio of selections.

    Recorded in Portland's Poundhouse Studios, "Little Wonder" is a pleasing offering if you're looking for the perfect mood-setting on a rainy afternoon. It's relaxing, heart-warming and a nice display of Dave Mullany's talents as a guitarist. Since it's self-released, you may have to pick up a copy from Dave himself at one of his performances, but make a point to attend one of his shows. If you are a fan of acoustic-styled guitar, Blues or otherwise, Dave Mullany is one of the Northwest's true musical assets. Check him out.

© 2003 Cascade Blues Association