Even in a genre oversaturated with fast-jamming electric guitarists, this Australian singer-songwriter's improvisations are always original and occasionally revelatory. He's a surprisingly soulful singer, in a less-polishe... more »d, B.B. King sort of way, and his constant solos never drown the focus of a catchy acoustic song like "Mean Old Airplane" or an electric stomper like "Stormy Seas." Ultimately, this 1993 CD is for guitar aficionados--Dave Hole's playing mimics his voice perfectly on the title track, and his slide achieves an Allman Brothers-style moan on Big Bill Broonzy's standard "Keys to the Highway." --Steve Knopper« less
Even in a genre oversaturated with fast-jamming electric guitarists, this Australian singer-songwriter's improvisations are always original and occasionally revelatory. He's a surprisingly soulful singer, in a less-polished, B.B. King sort of way, and his constant solos never drown the focus of a catchy acoustic song like "Mean Old Airplane" or an electric stomper like "Stormy Seas." Ultimately, this 1993 CD is for guitar aficionados--Dave Hole's playing mimics his voice perfectly on the title track, and his slide achieves an Allman Brothers-style moan on Big Bill Broonzy's standard "Keys to the Highway." --Steve Knopper
"As a guitar player and a rabid blues fan, I must say that I have never heard anything like this album: the sheer emotional intensity and unbelievable talent are beyond description. Its a must-have CD in any electric guitar fan's collection."
Slide showcase
Ricardo Neves Gonzalez | 08/21/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Lately, on a search for folks who play slide guitar, I ran across this Dave Hole CD on amazon.com. I am very pleased with the amount of energy and emotion Dave puts into his music. It is evident he is trying very hard to make sure he leaves you with a memory of his slide abilities. Nearly each song is full of some slide solos and imporvisations. Almost to the brink of being too much. Perhaps that is my reason for 4 stars rather than 5. The music is truly burnin' blues, but I didn't care for his voice. Seems to be falsetto at times, but that only reminds me of Robert Johnson, and that is actually a good thing. I would prefer a bit lower, growling voice, but that is an opinion. He does things with a slide I have not heard others do. He plays the slide "over the top" of the neck (as shown in the picture on this and many of his CD covers), rather than from underneath, and for creativity, I would give Dave Hole a 7. I think the feeling I get is that there is an underlying over-emphasis on the slide...he wants you to see his gimmick, and that gimmick is what's selling his music. This is evident in the pictures for his CD jackets...they want to be sure you know this guy is doing something different with the slide. He is, however very excellant at what he does, and deserving of the attention. He does his own thing and for that I'd give him another seven. A little less slide and some stronger vocals would set him head and shoulders over his current efforts on this CD."
Fabulous artist, awesome slide work, tremendous
michael t williams (mtwilliams@nu-w | Eugene, Oregon | 10/11/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Dave Hole is the best slide guitarist I have seen and heard. His "Short Fuse Blues" and "Steel on Steel" are also really fine albums, especially "Short Fuse Blues" You won't believe this artist's and band's talent!!!"
Revolutionary way to play blues!
Ricardo Neves Gonzalez | Petrópolis-R.J. Brazil-bluesfan@ig.com.br | 11/22/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Really scorched blues,a revolution in the way to play slide blues guitar.This album is really a show! Dave Hole is the new magic slideguitar man of the modern blues!"
High energy blues
Bob Davis | Christchurch New Zealand | 02/20/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Playing this album for the first time in some years I initially wondered why I bought it until I heard again 'Up all night thinking' which highlights how good Dave Hole can be. That track alone is worth the price of the CD with brilliant blues slide guitar work. 'Key to the highway' is also quite good but much of the rest of the album is too frantic for my current tastes. Alot of the tracks are like hearing Roy Buchanan on steriods with his liking for the high notes. As I said in my review of "Short Fuse Blues', Dave's energy often exceeds his talent. As an aussie myself, I applaud his success, but I probably will never buy another album from him."