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Review: 'BLAU, KARL'
'Introducing Karl Blau'   

-  Label: 'Bella Union'
-  Genre: 'Alt/Country' -  Release Date: '13th May 2016'

Our Rating:
There is something a little sad about the fact that, after twenty years and over 40 albums, this artist from Anacortes, Washington has to opt for the title 'Introducing Karl Blau',

Producer Tucker Martine concedes pragmatically “In spite of Karl’s prolific catalogue of records I still feel that not nearly enough people have had the opportunity to hear this man. With any luck this album will help change that.”.

What the record introduces us to is the singer's ability to interpret the songs of other artists. All ten tracks are covers, with a strong leaning towards the Nashville country-soul renaissance in the late 1960s and early 70s.

The album is also a labour of love for Martine since the producer is the son of a Nashville songwriter who grew up listening to many of these songs.

The project started modestly enough with a 7” single, a cover of a Tom T. Hall hit from 1969: That’s How I Got to Memphis. This set the metaphorical ball rolling and Blau now says “I feel like I am starring in this country-western movie".

Other guest artists in the cast of this imaginary film include Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Laura Veirs and Steve Moore (Earth, Sufjan Stevens, SunnO)))).

There are songs made famous by Waylon Jennings (Dreaming My Dreams, Six White Horses), Don Gibson's Woman (Sensuous Woman) , another by Tom T. Hall (Homecoming) and Tom Rush's timeless No Regrets.

Other tunes are from the Bee Gees (To Love Somebody), Townes Van Zandt (If I Needed You) and Link Wray (Fallin’ Rain). The latter is very similar to the sublime, soulful version by The Neville Brothers.

Even with material this great, lesser artists would still have found a way to make a pig's ear of it. Happily, the combination of Blau's warm, soothing voice and Martine's intelligent arrangements make this a winner all the way.



Karl Blau's website
  author: Martin Raybould

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BLAU, KARL - Introducing Karl Blau