In a time where Ray Lamontagne gets the recognition he so justly deserves, Doug Paisley sounds like he’s come from the same wooded, the Band circa Big Pink era on the gorgeous opener “What About Us?” with its subtle but lovely organ fueling the tune. Meanwhile, the singer-songwriter makes “Broken in Two” quite memorable, calling to mind a cross between J.J. Cale and Ron Sexsmith. Pure Americana as a guy from Toronto can get, Paisley slows things down with the somber “Digging in the Ground” which saunters along deliberately. Although it comes in at only nine songs, the quality is top notch, especially on the inviting “Last Duet” with its country accents. However, he moves too far into this realm with the formulaic “We Weather”. But all is forgiven when Paisley delivers “Take My Hand” perfectly, a slow, old-school country track that seems to float just over the musician’s head.
Doug Paisley: Doug Paisley
Doug Paisley
No Quarter
2009-01-27