On
"Dig Love", Eddy Mann expands his folk roots to include elements of
blues, jazz, and pop. The results are outstanding. "Dig Love" plays like
an Elmore Leonard novel: surprisingly, impossibly cool. Eddy Mann
exudes a subdued East Coast swagger that resonates in his voice and
excellent guitar work. From track to track, Eddy's diverse sounds echo
the greats: "Rise Up" recalls Mark Knopfler's early Dire Straits; "What I
Do" echoes Buffett's island funk; and my favorite track, "I Am, I Was
And I Will Be Yours" has a rhythm section worthy of modern Springsteen.
Eddy
Mann has an uncanny ability to blend styles and tempos into a sound
unique to himself. Whether funky blues like "You, You Make Me Feel" and
"I'm Setting My Mind On You" or reflectively quiet on "Seize The Moment"
and the striking "Another Trip Around The Sun", "Dig Love" plays like a
carefully constructed and cohesive album, its sum equally great as its
parts.
Lyrically, "Dig Love" balances simple reflection ("Seize the
moment/Embrace the hour/Faithfully weather the gale") with quirky,
almost amusing bluesy quips (telling God he's "dialed in right smack on
You"). It makes the album fun. There is no way anyone can listen to this album and not be in a better mood as a result.
As you can infer, "Dig Love" is about, well, love. Love in all forms.
Love of God. Love of others. Love of life. It offers hope in abundance.
Unabashed hope in a time filled with despair. There is a track called
"Love Is Splendiferous". It doesn't get much more direct than that.
With
"Dig Love", Eddy Mann has written an album that has appeal across
generations -- a sound at once classic and contemporary. Give it a spin.
You'll be surprised when you find yourself humming it's hooks and
melodies long after you listen. Need proof? See "Home Again". Christian
folk blues with swag. How cool is that?
Review by Jason Ramsey
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