Domenic Cicala – Bitter Blues
This is an interesting collection of decisive music with a signature vocal. Cat Stevens has it, John Prine, Elvis, Bobby Darin, Bob Dylan, Karen Dalton & others who stand out in their respective genres. But Domenic is no imitator, he has a warm voice with a kind tone that sets him apart from just good singers. Singers who sing well, but do not have a distinctive voice – one you would know anywhere.
The opening tune “One Horse Town (Mother’s Day),” is sung in a rural John Prine tone with a little Gordon Lightfoot flavor. Then comes the Spanish guitar on “Baby Come Back,” with its upbeat charge that’s refreshing especially when the accordion comes with its Tex-Mex ripeness followed by steel pan – wow, quite an entertaining music. The vocals are simply excellent.
With this new LP, Mr. Cicala (guitar/vocals) provides songs covering a broad spectrum of Americana which he’s been cultivating for a decade. These 10 bitter blues were produced by Domenic Cicala & Steve Carr on Bitter Blues (Drops March 29/Tortured Artists Records/35:00). He explores so many colorful vocal artists in his inimitable style.
“Bitter Blues,” “Just So You Know” & “Again,” are a trio of marvelously sung tunes with beautiful Gordon Lightfoot phrasing & intonation. Lovely. Then Domenic strides into 50s style “Angry Heart,” which to my ears recollects the tonality of Tito & the Revlon’s’ rocking obscure classic “Lazy Mary Memphis.” This is dynamic with its nostalgia & modern-day edge. Shake your butt good.
The marvelous “Hangin’ Tree,” is pulled from the roots of the late Willy Deville (of the band Mink DeVille). Willy also had a deep warm voice, solid musicianship, melodies & tight story lyrics. Dom’s track is a cousin to that quality. Excellent stuff. Dom’s cover of “Just To Walk That Little Girl Home,” was a DeVille & Doc Pomus composition. So, Domenic is quite aware of such artists.
The songs are dazzling compositions. Versatile, pensive & precision performed. There’s a unifying coolness about each song & how they are strung together. They each play seamlessly & with all that band talent rubbing together they cause a musical friction that sparks with sophisticated creativity. I like this.
Highlights – “One Horse Town (Mother’s Day),” “Baby Come Back,” “Bitter Blues,” “Just So You Know,” “Hangin’ Tree,” “Angry Heart,” “Again” & “Shores of Sorrow.”
Musicians – Blair Hogan (guitar/bass), Mark Noone, Holly Montgomery & Steve Carr (bass), Eric Selby, Bob Berberich & Ben Helms (drums), Bill Starks (piano), Arif Durrani (piano/organ), Tom Corradino (accordion), Carol Arthur (steel pan), Meghan Davis (violin), Lynn Hanson, Tony Denikos, Megan Leigh, Eryn Michel & Michelle Hannan (harmony vocals) & Rick Shea (guitar)
CD @ Apple & https://www.domeniccicala.com/
Song premiere: https://americanahighways.org/2023/11/13/song-premiere-domenic-cicala-bitter-blues/