Doug Kolmar – We’ll Be Fine
This singer-songwriter explores the beauty & trouble of inner & outer worlds, often with a glimpse through compassionate eyes, with wit & insight. It’s not a rock ‘n’ roll album, not a wordy Jackson Browne extravaganza, or as imaginatively melodic & crafty as the late Emitt Rhodes. But what Doug Kolmar (vocals/acoustic guitar) provides are some sophisticated, gentle & lucid songs threaded with the finery of good words & music (“Dancing With a Shadow”) that reminds me of the skill that was the late David McWilliams (“Marlena,” “Days of Pearly Spencer”).
The 13 assuring tunes of We’ll Be Fine (Dropped Oct. 20/Independent/51:00) were produced by the award-winning singer-songwriter Jud Caswell & Doug. The songs are not written to capture one’s ears with showboating guitar solos, bashing drums & big orchestrations. Instead, the focus is on contemplative lyrics, gentle flute passages & Doug’s sincere vocal turns as if singing personally to you.
However, by track 3, “Creature Comforts” opens with some nice horns & an upbeat melody cum narrative. There’s a Jimmy Buffett swipe with its bright sunshine melody. The kind of song Buffett could’ve done with lots of success, or Pat Boone in his prime (Boone did have a good voice). Its contemporary-commercial potential is consistent in any era & would probably play out well during a live show.
Kolmar has a Don McLean reassuring tone. It appears on “When You’re Three” & “Wading.” Pleasant light ballads with some warm (April Reed-Cox) cello notes on “Wading.” Kolmar’s style here is basically the same formula that did work for McLean, Jonathan Edwards (“Sunshine”), Livingston Taylor, & Dan Fogelberg.
Warmer, soulful horns pour across the intro of “We’ll Be Fine,” which is a good formulaic ballad. Steady drums, acoustic guitars & Kolmar’s indulgent vocals stay within the margins. Not exactly at the diversified level of Elton John, Billy Joel, or as creatively individualistic as the late Harry Nilsson. Kolmar does have a nice niche that doesn’t slide into mediocrity (Michael Franks, Henry Paul, & Dan Seals). His arrangements are the glue to his well-played tunes.
Doug needs to be careful. His welding the creative arrangements (“Love Is a Word”) to a campy set of lyrics is clever, but set up beside the other more lavish tunes, it brings the bright lights down to a dim. This is where pop-songwriters like Tommy Roe, Johnny Cymbal & Andy Kim reside. In my opinion this is not where Doug needs to be.
“The Mystery” is Doug’s finest moment. Tasteful, catchy, well-played & sung. This song has an edge. Doug is a fine singer-songwriter who isn’t going to challenge the norm, but does have a good repertoire with affirming tunes that’ll certainly please.
Highlights – “Creature Comforts,” “Wading,” “We’ll Be Fine,” “Dancing With a Shadow,” & “The Mystery.”
Musicians – Janice O’Rourke (vocals).
Color image courtesy of Doug’s website. CD @ Bandcamp & https://www.reverbnation.com/dougkolmar