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1993-08-30
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Lyrical Leanings
Copyright (c) 1993, Joe DeRouen
All rights reserved
COMING UP FOR AIR
David Massengill
Flying Fish Records
The majority of the world was first introduced to David Massengill on
High Street Record's 1989 release LEGACY - A COLLECTION OF SINGER
SONGWRITERS. The collection of modern folk songs included Massengill's
haunting, funny ballad MY NAME JOE, a song depicting a illegal
immigrants adventures as the head cook in a restaurant.
In 1992, Flying Fish Records released Massengill's debut album, COMING
UP FOR AIR. MY NAME JOE is included, of course, but presented in a
different way. The vocals are slower, more folksy. The instrumental side
of the song comes more into play as well, with a dulcimer, 12 string
acoustic guitar, bass, and drums working together to back up
Massengill's terrific vocals. (Joe works 14 hours/After ten he starts to
booze/He gets very sentimental/He sings the Buddah blues)
Personally, I prefer the LEGACY version by a hair. Still, though, it's
nice to see an artist take a chance of a different version instead of
including what's already been released.
The album runs the gamut of political and social messages, all the while
remaining entertaining, fun, and innovative.
ON THE ROAD TO FAIRFAX COUNTY is another ballad, this one telling the
story of a traveller meeting a highway man and the unlikely seduction -
and ultimate execution of the highway man - that follows. Massengill's
lyrics are at once tender then powerful, giving an epic feel to this
song.
NUMBER ONE IN AMERICA runs a bit long at 7:45, but is a clever satirical
piece on racism and american pride. The song follows the progression of
racism through 1963 to the present, giving only the hint that some
progress might have been made and the assurance that we still have a
long road to travel.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL WORLD, the last song on the album, is, in a word,
strange. But a funny, good strange. To attempt to describe it wouldn't
do it justice, but I'll say that any song that ends with George
Steinbrenner receiving the old pie in the face can't be all bad.
Overall, COMING UP FOR AIR is a solid album on contemporary folk music,
with just the proper amounts of social consciousness, humor, and
romance. I'll look forward to hearing more from David Massengill, and
watching his career progress and hopefully blossom.
My rating, on a scale of 1-10: 9