Off The Floor

In its six original songs, this young duo's debut CD manages to seriously impress and disappoint in equal measure.

A spare, fluid rusticity sets the tone early as guitarist Avi Salloway evokes the back woods and back roads of American myth and legend. Vocalist Celia Woods-Smith, sounding far beyond her years, honeys these blues with a sincere blend of regret and wisdom. You can hear their promise resonate on Can't Feel It, Down To You and Their Faces.

On the other hand (a pesky, appendage indeed) when they get cute, they get cliché. Soak Her In is a fallen Eagles re-tread. Bud 'n Mary is just too predictable a bluegrass hop to matter as is the blue title track.

As they grow into their ideas and abilities (they've both just graduated from college) I'm trusting their instincts to steer them away from the pratfalls listed in the previous paragraph. As with all things, only time will tell.

Track List:

Edited by: David N. Pyles
(dnpyles@acousticmusic.com)