Music Reviews: Artists - D

Artists: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

(The) Darbuki Kings: Lawrence of Suburbia -- I have heard my share of the Bouzouki and Sitar in my day and usually have my ears wide open always waiting for a new discovery or slight nuance I have never heard before. This is an album full of atmosphere and musical brilliance. For just two men, they really know how to put these instruments to work in the most appealing and appropriate way.
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David Davenport: One Brother -- David  Davenport offers a straight down the line stripped down sound on One Brother, his second release. This is a deeply emotive recording for Davenport.  Nearly the entire album is his voice and a grand piano. Because of the prolific real life lyrics, the rhythmic sensibility, and a strong vocal presence, the kind you would be able to single out in a church choir, this works very well.
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David Davenport: The Big Machine -- David Davenport released The Big Machine in 2003. The singer/songwriter/musician makes some valid points in his music. Davenport is not a religious man, he is spiritual, and he has some strong convictions for equal rights for all human beings regardless of race, creed or religion. You will hear those beliefs and feelings ring out clear and true throughout this release.
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Brenda David: Better Part of Me --  Brenda David’s music is like walking into a dimly lit upper class restaurant and reading a menu of choices. This is adult contemporary pop, rock, jazz, and all of the above mixed in to formulate a palette of color and sound that is satisfying and very relaxing. The lady has a nice approach, a smooth clear voice that assures you that what she is vocalizing means something. I know it sounds like a novelty in these times…there are actually some independent artists out there that make good music with lyrics you actually can understand and relate to. I find it rather refreshing.
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Dead Smiling Pirates --  They're dead pirates, but they are smiling…so what’s up with that? Ok what they really are is a rock-punk outfit from over the hills and far away, more specifically form Copenhagen Denmark. Dead Smiling Pirates are an authoritative trio consisting of Kim Burmeister (vocals/guitars), Erik Aaberg (drums), and Lasse Hansen (bass).
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Deaf Symphony: Chains of Love --  Deaf Symphony is the brainchild of Matt Cerbin. Back in June of 2005, I had my introduction to his project Black Garden. I was impressed with the recording and recently I received the most recent effort Chains of Love. The workload is shared this time around so Cerbin can concentrate more on playing the guitar, bass, and keyboards and not have to be concerned with the lead singing as well. It looks like there is an official lineup now. Larry Cox is back playing his drums and you can hear him loud and clear. The way he plays really sets the standard for everyone else to follow. There is another guitar player in the mix now too, Howard Askeland. He holds his own and does a nice job trading licks with Cerbin.
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Casey Desmond: No Disquise -- Casey Desmond comes right at you with No Disguise, her second studio recording.  Her words are not a mish mash of mixed messages like some of the nonsensical musings you hear, it is the exact opposite, and every track packs a punch because of her honesty.
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Al Di Meola: Consequence of Chaos --  Consequence of Chaos is Al Di Meola’s first studio album in four years. The sticker on the front of the CD advertises that it’s a retrun to the solid-body electric guitar. This statement is only partially true. Certainly it was put on the CD to attract the fans of Di Meola that enjoyed the electric albums early in his career.
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Steve Dooks: Cocktails, Heartaches and Cigars -- In 2004 I discovered Steve Dooks through his album Two Days on the Floor. Three years later he offers his listeners something entirely different with Cocktails, Heartaches and Cigars. I know it sounds more like the title of a blues album; however, this is jazz with a little bit of the blues around the outer fringes and stuck in between (“It’s Called The Blues”). Jazz and blues - blues and jazz; whatever way you want to look at it they are kissin’ cousins, and Dooks goes down that path more than once.
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Dream Theater: Systematic Chaos -- The last time I listened to an album repeatedly, I mean twice a day for a stretch of two weeks, began the day I picked up Black Sabbath’s 1973 album Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. It became a permanent resident on my turntable and drove my parents crazy. History does repeat itself and for many reasons I could not stop listening to Dream Theater’s most recent release Systematic Chaos. I have long wondered if they could possibly release an album as good as Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence; now I am elated to discover that they have surpassed that 2002 release for consistency and overall excellence in production, musicianship, lyrics and storytelling - this is their best effort to date!
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