Doug Kolmar
As If I Was Almost Here
© 2006 Doug Kolmar (634479328312)
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Rootsy,Jazz-inflected,literate-Folk
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"It takes a little close listening to appreciate what Kolmar has done here, but it is well worth the extra effort." -- Indie-Music.com
On AS IF I WAS ALMOST HERE, Kolmar worked with Josh Powell--who
has also recorded neo-delta Bluesman, Samuel James and now Signature Sounds artist Moses Atwood, among others--to achieve a recording of intimate
simplicity,and detail. The basic tracks were recorded live and maintain
the intricate interplay of guitar and voice that one finds in Kolmar's
performances, enhanced here and there with touches of electric guitar,
bass, and violin (courtesy of Jamalieh Haley on NEW ENGLAND). The addition of Alan Dickson
on mandolin for SAILOR SONG creates an appropriately rowdy sea-faring duet.
Keeping the acoustic guitar and voice front and center provides a
consistent focus, however the album covers a range of styles from
the American Gothic roots/blues of THESE FOUR THINGS to the quasi-samba
of MOVING TARGETS, and numerous jazzy and folky flavors in between.
Like some of the best novels the lyrics manage to provide fresh,
often unusual imagery that helps illuminate the humor and pathos in
everyday life. But If you need a little extra time to ruminate on a new
metaphor, 3 miniature guitar vignettes offer that space.
Down-to-earth, but with a sense of enhanced reality, this CD is like
a rainy-day walk with your favorite barroom philosopher.
reviews
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Excellent disk; Moody fingerstyle guitar, smooth baritone vocals, exploration of
author: Bob McKillopDoug Kolmar’s debut CD, “Homebody Somebody” was a nice collection of laid-back, bluesy tunes culled from his world of full-time work, family man-ness, and musical dreams. His new CD is “As If I was Almost Here”, and this disc continues his insightful and poignant exploration of his baby-boomer mid-life-almost-crisis but-wait-a-moment-I’m-content existence and the wisdom it has brought him. Doug’s composition, guitar style, and vocal approach all compliment each other very well. Many of his songs are deep, dark finger style arrangements, with bass riffs and treble ornamentation, and his rich baritone voice runs up and down the melody in a laconic, soothing walk through the stories and observations in his songs. My favorite tune on the disc is “These Four Things”, which is the opening track. It’s a moody, introspective, tour through the musings of a man approaching middle age, who understands what he’s found, what he’s passed by, and why. There’s a grudging contentment in the acceptance of his decisions about what is important to him, and a conviction that he made the right choices. It’s a song about choosing truth and simple living over ambition. “New England” is an ode to Doug’s adopted home; the finger style guitar accompaniment feels like a ride down a country road with the fence posts clicking by and the road ahead stretching off in the distance. The images in the lyrics become a narration of a road trip through a variety of New England towns. The short instrumental tune “Simple Song” displays Doug’s classical influences, and his solid grasp of melody and harmony in composition. His execution of this piece displays his skill in manifesting those ideas through his instrument. Doug occasionally reaches a little too far for a lyrical connection, but overall, his newest record is a very enjoyable listen, showing off his musicianship, his skill in crafting literate, thought-provoking songs, and his knowledge of his audience. The production and sound quality are very good, and the order in which the tunes appear has been well thought-out. I play this CD often, and usually from beginning to end. It will make you think about your life and how it’s playing out against the backdrop of your youthful expectations.
Morning Music
author: MicheleI love to listen to this CD in the morning!