Search - Dave Pegg :: Cocktail Cowboy Goes It Alone

A sweet little album from a great musician

Kevin Gamble | Columbia, MO USA | 07/25/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Dave Pegg has to be considered one of the seminal figures of folk-rock, having played with Jethro Tull, Fairport Convention, Richard Thompson, Nick Drake, and more. His lyrical, fluid, tasteful bass and mandolin playing always add class and charm to the proceedings. On this solo record, his folkiness takes center stage with charming results. He's limited as a vocalist, but his musical prowess shines throughout, with numbers ranging from sweet folk songs to snaky Celtic tunes. Among the highlights are an early version of Tull's "Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow" and a warm tribute song for Sandy Denny. Fans of Pegg's work with the above musicians will enjoy the character and gentle humor of this recording."

Peggy's Plaintive Pluck or "Hello, Old Bean!"

Benedict J. Likens | Whiting, IN USA | 04/24/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While not the best folk recording since Leige and Lief, Dave Pegg's Cocktail Cowboy is still a very enjoyable CD. Although not a singer (by his own admission), the vocals Pegg puts down here are very warm and reflect his personality. As a matter of fact, it's his personality that makes this disc worth picking up.



"All the Dance Numbers" is one of those charming little songs that stays with you throughout the day (whether you want it to or not), and his version of Ian Anderson's "Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow," while not as dramatic as Jethro Tull's rendition, again has a certain English charm about that's difficult to define but easy to identify.



The instrumentals showcase Pegg's never-failing skills as a bass and mandolin player. I've always felt that Pegg was one of the finest bass players that rock has ever seen. He's about as solid as they come and extremely melodic. There are several numbers on Cocktail Cowboy that demonstrate his agility on the bass, using it as a lead instrument on several of the more "jiggy" numbers (i.e. "Level Pegging"). His bass sound is very "wet" and the fact that he uses a pick increases the attack on the strings and defines the notes much more than if he just used his fingers (although, truth be told, he's pretty much untouchable -- pick or fingers).



When all is sung and done, you'll want to listen to Cocktail Cowboy often, especially when your mood needs a lift. In conclusion, I need to say something about "Song for Sandy." Written for the late Fairport Convention vocalist Sandy Denny, it radiates the warmth Pegg felt for The Lady, and also brings everything down to what it's all about -- plain old love. Again, it's the warmth of Pegg's personality that makes this CD great. The love he has for what he does is evident on every single track. What more could you want? Buy it and smile."