Album, Single and EP Reviews


 

 

  Pharr by Dave McCullough


Pharr cover art

Artist: Dave McCullough
Title: Pharr
Catalogue Number: No catalogue number
Review Format: CD
Release Year: 2008



One man and his jazz guitar. That would be Dave McCullough. He's from El Paso, Texas and this is his third independently released album.

There are standards contained here, as you would expect, like "Misty" and "Summertime" and they are handled slickly.  It is not often, however, that a version of "For Martha" makes an appearance on a jazz guitar album whilst a brief but respectful run through John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" takes us out of the album.

You can't fault the man's playing and the 7 string guitar is interesting tonally. The only issue that we have is that it is all a bit too polite. Everybody does standards and you have to take chances - or is it liberties - if people are going to remember your version. There is nothing here to dislike but it would have been nice to hear Mr McCullough stretch himself more.


www.davemccullough.org
Reviewer:
Review Date: July 7 2008