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Non-Prog CD Reviews

Nikhil Korula

Solo Sessions

Review by Gary Hill

This is quite a good disc. The music has a real Dave Matthews vibe a lot of the time. There are other elements in place, but Matthews is the biggest one. The only real problem here is that on a couple songs the vocals wander off key. Still, it’s not enough to really mar this set all that badly. It would be better if that problem was fixed, but it’s pretty darn good like this.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2013  Volume 5 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Track by Track Review
Spark

The guitar that serves as the main backdrop here is bouncy and classy. There are some awesome vocal harmonies and layers on this tune. It’s a great accessible cut with plenty of classic rock and even some jazz in the mix. There is a great retro keyboard solo. The one problem here is that sometimes the lead vocal gets a little too adventurous landing off-key.

He Said, She Said
A mellower tune, this has some great saxophone soloing. It’s very much like something Dave Matthews might do, with some extra helpings of jazz in the mix. Maybe “Dave Matthews meets Kenny G” would be a good description. Although this might not have the same level of energy and “oomph” as the opener, it stays in key and is more consistent. That makes this one better.
Broken Roads
The Dave Matthews vibe is still present here, but this feels a lot like the Allman Brothers, too. This is another of the better tunes on the disc.
Silent Tears
I really like the balladic song structure here. The string laden, piano driven arrangement is great, too. There is some great piano soloing, too. The only problem I’ve got with this song is that, like on the opener, the lead vocals seem to have some trouble staying on key. It’s a shame because with a better vocal performance this would have been the highlight of the set. As is, it’s still pretty darned good.
Fade Away
This one feels very much like Dave Matthews to me. It’s a good song. It’s not the best piece here, but it’s also not the weakest. It’s quite an effective one.
 
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