Search - Peter Case :: Man With Blue Post-Modern Fragmented Neo-Tradition

4 1/2 Stars: His Best To Date

01/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Case's second solo effort fulfills much of the promise hinted at on its predecessor. The songwriting is more fluent and self-assured, as is his singing; with contributions from David Lindley, Jim Keltner and Los Lobos' David Hidalgo, the musical settings are more varied and distinctive. Case delivers some startlingly precise character studies ("Poor Old Tom," "Travellin' Light"), stark emotional dramas ("Put Down the Gun," "Two Angels") and sharply observed sense-of-place vignettes ("This Town's a Riot," "Entella Hotel"). Perhaps most notable, though, is the born-again artist's new-found deftness at bridging spiritual and secular concerns, which he does effectively on "Hidden Love." - Ira Robbins/Harold DeMuir, Trouser Press"

His Best Work

S. Finefrock | Raleigh, NC | 08/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's been a long bumpy road in Case's career, from the early days in the Plimsouls (Million Miles Away) to his latest solo work, but this remains in my mind his best work.



With understated backing, providing an authentic folk/rock-Americana backdrop, Case delivers a number that rank near the top of his catalog. ENETELLA HOTEL and POOR OLD TOM are two of the finest character story songs that I can name. ENTELLA tells of living and finding love at the margins of society, while POOR OLD TOM is a heartbreaking story of a veteran whose life becomes castaway due to mental illness. Both are as good as an award winning short story. The rest of the album is chock full of great songs like, THIS TOWN'S A RIOT, the Cajun inflected TRAVELLIN' LIGHT and the great closing song HIDDEN LOVE.



Anyone looking for quality songwriting would be well advised to check this one out at once. Case has been a consistent performer over the years, but BLUE GUITAR is an obvious peak and an undervalued classic."