With the new emergence in electric blues by such young, yet skilled artists as Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepard and most recently, Susan Tedeschi, we find relative newcomer Dan Page with his second release, GLOW.
At just 22 years of age, Dan Page is already a club and festival favorite with his Texas Rock/Blues style. Page started playing guitar at 11 years old, however by the time he was ready to form a band it became apparent that the teens in the small town of Port Orchard, Washington had little or no interest in joining a blues band. Dan's father, Andy stepped in to play bass, and eventually his mother, Suzi, was recruited to play drums. Two months later the trio was fully intact, The Dan Page Group played their first gig and have carried on ever since.
GLOW is straight ahead blues with a rock and roll edge. Although the recording is comprised by and large of Page originals, it incorporates some awesome covers, such as Willie Dixon's, Let Me Love You Baby, a smokin' rendition of Robert Johnson's, Stop Breaking Down, and the classic Killing Floor.
Playing both the lead and rhythm guitar almost simultaneously, the Texas influence becomes apparent on the cut Stop Breaking Down Blues that include some mean guitar licks. Although reminiscent of the late Stevie Ray Vaughn, Page is careful not to mimic him.
Dan shows off his acoustic skills with resonator guitar on the track Kindle Your Fire. With very soulful vocals, it is hard to believe this guy is barley out of his teens.
Page ran his microphone through a Dunlop Cry Baby on the track, Looked My Way, giving the vocals a vintage sound.
Right Wrong Reason is Robin Trower-esc rock and roll tune and features all the tricky gadgets including reverb and distortion for a very intense experience.
Dan Page is setting the foundation with GLOW. If the variety on this CD is any indication of the talent of Dan Page, we have just begun to see the capabilities of this young guitar slinger. If you hunger for electric guitar driven blues, The Dan Page Group is sure to satisfy your appetite.
www.danpagegroup.com
This review is copyright © 2001 by Tony Engelhart, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.
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