as some songs that consistently get a good reaction. The CD
can be purchased on CD Baby. It
can also be downloaded there, as well as on iTunes
and other retailers. Track listings are available on either page. My Blues
was released in 5/2007 at the same time as Live. Love. Learn. Sing. I rerecorded some of my favorite original blues material, as
well as some songs that consistently get a good reaction. The CD
can be purchased on CD Baby. It
can also be downloaded there, as well as on iTunes
and other retailers. Track listings are available on either page.
Todd Lorenz is a California-born, Wisconsin-based guitarist/singer who
takes an Americana approach to acoustic guitar, mixing elements of blues, folk,
rock, bluegrass, and country into his playing and singing. Having released three
previous CDs over the past eight years, he’s released two simultaneously in
2007, including My Blues (self-released), which consists of rerecorded versions
of popular songs from his first three CDs.
Lorenz has a deft touch on guitar and a warm, rich voice. His highly original
songs (20 on this CD) deal with familiar blues themes: pain, loss, love, etc.,
but with a modern, and sometimes personal touch. Highlights include “Tired of
Your Pain,” “Life Ain’t Easy,” “To Your Grave,” “Sundance
Groove,” “Good Old Days Again,” and “Kentucky Woman.”
Lorenz is comfortable playing and singing in blues, country, folk, or any of the
Americana styles. Well produced by Lorenz and featuring a variety of styles and
original tunes, My Blues is a fine CD that should please acoustic guitar fans.
Graham Clarke
A third of the way down the page:
http://www.bluenight.com/BluesBytes/wn0807.html
A solo recording doesn’t leave an artist anywhere to hide, especially
when you are working with original material. Lorenz is able to make it work with
ease. His slide guitar creates a solid rhythmic foundation throughout the disc,
especially on tracks like “Hush Hush” where his rapid-fire licks add to the
intensity of the performance. He has good range on the vocals and varies his
approach enough to maintain interest.
The same could be said for Todd’s songwriting. He mixes standard blues licks
with lyrics that often provide a humorous view of real life situations. This
quality is very evident on “Got Her Gone”, where the woman lays down a list
of laws which Todd promptly uses as a roadmap to bring the relationship to an
end. One has to wonder about his emotional state of being when he wrote “Even
My Shoes Got the Blues”.
I listened to this recording on two long business road-trips. It held my
attention both times. The best praise I can give My Blues is that, after hearing
the disc, I want to see a live performance by Lorenz
Mark Thompson
http://crossroadsreviews.blogspot.com/2007/06/my-blues-reviewed-by-mark-thompson.html