DL Duncan

D.L. Duncan
15 South Records

Nashville’s Dave Duncan, simply known as DL Duncan on this self-titled, self-produced recording, has been a songwriter of well-respected merit for a number of years. With a sound that fits nicely within that musical niche surrounded roots, America, and the blues, he has written highly acclaimed songs for country artists like Lorrie Morgan and Buddy Jewell and has worked with the Goose Creek Symphony, Jimmy Nalls, and Stan Street. He has also had a lengthy song-writing collaboration with Curtis Salgado and has reaped two Blues Music Award nominations for song of the year with “20 Years of BB King” and “She Didn’t Cut Me Loose.”

The strength of Duncan’s songwriting clearly shines through on this recording, with eight of the tracks written or co-penned by him. He reunites with Salgado on one, “I Know A Good Thing” and Mark Robinson co-wrote the fiery guitar number “Dickerson Road.” There is plenty of humor to be found in the opening tune, “I Ain’t The Sharpest Marble.” The clever title alone should tell you that fact, but it’s full of funny insights such as “If you want a man with ambition, you might as well count me out.” And he can fill you with his down-felt sorrow with mournful slide guitar on “St. Valentine’s Day Blues,” relating how alone he gets to feeling each February.

Throughout the album the instrumentation is high caliber. It doesn’t hurt when your supporting cast includes heavy hitters like Delbert McClinton on harmonica, Sonny Landreth on slide guitar, Muscle Shoals’ house bassist David Hood, keyboard dynamo Kevin McKendree and Nashville’s premier vocalists The McCrary Sisters. And amongst all that, Duncan superbly plays a variety of both electric and acoustic guitars.

The album closes with a beautiful take on Craig Wiseman’s “All I Have To Offer You Is Love,” one of only two covers on the disc. His vocals are soft and touching with exceptional accompaniment by David Pinkston on pedal steel guitar. It is the perfect nightcap to an album filled with fantastic, memorable songs and perfect presentation. Start to end, this is one fine collection of music.

Total Time: 41:05

I Ain’t The Sharpest Marble / Dickerson Road / You Just Don’t Never Know / Your Own Best Friend / I Know A Good Thing / Sending Me Angels / Orange Beach Blues / St. Valentine’s Day Blues / Sweet Magnolia Love / All I Have To Offer You Is Love