Dallas Burrow – Modern Day Vagabond
The CD package is designed with a hat tip to vintage Columbia LPs of the early ‘60s with its cool country artwork layout. “Modern Day Vagabond” opens the set & it’s not outlaw country; not a contemporary or traditional country. It has an alternative spin that’s simply Dallas Burrow. The music is vigorous, a slight Marc Cohn (“Walking In Memphis” “Miles Away” “Silver Thunderbird”) tone, good lyrics & a musical dynamic enlightened by the female backup that accentuates Burrow’s voice.
“Let It Shine” is more mainstream with the melody & playing sharp & precise. The backup vocals again color the words with delightful support. Recorded in Texas there are 14 faces to Modern Day Vagabond (Drops Sept. 25/Forty Below Records/55:13) produced by Mike McClure (acoustic guitar/gang vocals) & Adam Odor (bass).
Dallas sings wonderfully, & the tunes lean more to the serious side than the commercial trade-off pop-country tunes seem to be treading today. But this isn’t pop-country, & the ballads like “Miracle” are tightly woven, incisive. Dallas (vocal/mandolin/piano/nylon string & acoustic guitars) seems to be cutting his own path. He certainly has a pleasant, diversified number of songs. What makes Dallas sound interesting are the stories (“Full Circle”) which aren’t the average country tales but personal assessments, nostalgic reminiscing about family, while growing up. This is a ballad with nice picking, a warm melody, & builds in its narrative. Excellent song.
None of the playing is overbearing. There’s a good balance between the players. “Time Is Now” is upbeat & positive if not delightful. The most traditional country-style tune is “Memories,” good enough for a singer like George Jones. The rockiest indulgence is “Underdog” with some maniacal Mark Tokach (electric guitar) & Larry Chaney (electric, lap steel & baritone guitars) , adding the muscle to the cool performance.
With an intonation similar to John Prine & Richard Thompson, “Whole Different Angle” is performed with skill & virtuosity. There’s a tinge of John Hiatt is the energetic “Old Time Revival,” with all the bells & whistles. But the momentum skids with “All I Want Is You” a sleeper with a Boz Scaggs groove — a bit out of its league on this set.
Highlights – “Modern Day Vagabond,” “Let It Shine,” “Miracle,” “No Problem,” “Full Circle,” “Time Is Now,” “Memories,” “Underdog,” “Whole Different Angle” & “Old Time Revival.”
Musicians – Susan Gibson (vocals/banjo), Katie Shore (vocals/fiddle), Kelly Willis, Kelley Mickwee, Christlyn Rose & Mike Burrow (vocals), Eric Harrison (gang vocals/bass), Mike Ingber (gang vocals/drums/percussion/electric guitar), Kullen Fox (accordion/trumpet/organ), Colin Brooks (dobro & steel guitar), Lloyd Maines (steel guitar), Daniel Davis (piano/gang vocals), Cameron Martin (drums), Will Sexton (electric guitar/vocals) & Danny Silverman (flute).
CD cover image courtesy of Carley du Menil. A folded lyric insert is included. CD @ Apple & https://fortybelowrecords.com/store-bu6al/p/mdv & https://www.dallasburrow.com/
Enjoy some of our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Dallas Burrow “The Way The West Was Won”