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David Massey:
Blissful State of Blue
When one steps into the office of a partner at a D.C. law firm, the term singer-songwriter doesnt usually spring to mind. But, upon further reflection, it makes sense that someone passionate about American law would have an equal intensity when it comes to American music. Attorney-turned-artiste David Massey spends his hours away from Sutherland Asbill & Brennan composing good ol-fashioned folk tunes, thirteen of which have made it onto his debut album, Blissful State of Blue. Blue, indeed. Masseys melodies are generally lively, utilizing the talents of his many musical pals; Stephen Wades banjo takes a leading role, as does Zan McLeods mandolin. The sound is straight-up Americana, in the vein of Steve Earle or Arlo Guthrie. But lyrically, Massey takes a more somber road. He writes in character, and the roles he chooses are usually lonely old men or wistful middle-aged ones. The albums opener, Labor Day, grieves the loss of an innocent, technology-free youth: Ill surrender my cell phone, boys/Id turn in my PC/If only summers could be long again/The way they used to be. Nostalgia for American history also emerges here. Pretty Summer Day details Picketts Charge during the Battle of Gettysburg. Massey based The Drunken Letter on a note reprinted by The Washington Post from a fighter pilot who had just learned his wife had given birth and was shot down by German antiaircraft three months later, before he could meet his son. Similar, gloomy war themes appear in the fiddle-driven Marilee McGrath, and in Angeline, which is dedicated to the mother of a newly enlisted soldier: So now the drums are beating/ The missiles soon may fly/ And the little boy youve cherished/ may have to die. This album is a blast from the past both in style and content. Consequently, some may object to Masseys reminiscing and prefer something more modern. This ones most likely to sit well with war buffs, folk music fanatics and true-Blue Yankees.
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