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“ACOUSTIC BLUES” Big Dave Mclean (Stony Plain) ***¾
I guess there is such a thing as truth in advertising. The latest from this mainstay of the Canadian blues scene, subtitled “Got ‘Em From The Bottom”, is indeed acoustic blues. You’d swear Big Dave was from somewhere around Clarksdale Mississippi, instead in Winnipeg.

McLean’s guitar playing is imbued with many delta ghosts, and his gravely voice gives the tunes that ‘this guy knows what he’s singing about’ vibe. What is perhaps as gratifying as it is startling is that 13 of these 19 tracks are Mclean originals, mixed with blues classics written by Sleepy John Estes, Muddy Waters, Lightnin’ Hopkins and more. That his material can fraternize with that of some of the blues’ greatest songwriters is a testament to the talent and soul of the man himself.

Some of the tracks on “Acoustic Blues” are just Dave McLean and his National Steel, and the band tracks are deft and subtle- acoustic guitars with some harp while the drums and bass pulse and throb like a dark undercurrent- giving the whole disc an intimate feel that blues fans, regardless of whether you know Big Dave’s music or not, will embrace. It’s not unlike putting on an old Son House album, or Kelly Joe Phelps’ excellent “Lead Me On” set on the Burnside label from ’94- not to compare them directly as artists, but the level of intimacy is quite similar.

If you like your blues high and lonesome, “Acoustic Blues” should be playing in your stereo right now.

KEY CUTS: “Louisiana Blues/ Forty Four (medley)”, “Atlanta Moan”, “Good Morning Little School Girl”