Search - David Blue :: Nice Baby & the Angel

Gone but not forgotten. One of real gems from the 70's.

Gary Cornelius | Winnipeg, Manitoba | 02/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"David Blue recorded seven solo albums in his short career as a songwriter which spanned from 1965 to his death in 1982. It is regrettable that so few people have heard and appreciated his music. This album, "Nice Baby and the Angel" was his finest recording.



After several excellent Dylanesque recordings which include the self- titled "David Blue" and "These 23 Days in September",the country-oriented "Me"(recorded under his real name S. David Cohen), and "Stories", David Blue found his voice and reached his zenith as a songwriter and recording artist.



This fantastic recording features 10 almost perfect folk/country rock tunes which stand out amidst the pack of country rock artists who dominated the scene in 1973 when this record was released.



Most listener's will immediately recognize the opening tune, 'Outlaw Man'

which Blue wrote for the Eagles' Desperado album. But, the essence of this recording is best realized on the ballads 'Lady O'Lady', 'On Sunday,

Any Sunday', 'Yesterday's Lady', 'Nice Baby'... and the terrific country rock tunes, 'True to You', 'Darlin' Jenny', 'Dancing Girl' and 'Train to Anaheim'.



Blue's poetic lyrics are wonderfully complimented by his tasteful musical arrangements that are propelled by his top notch studio band.



Blue is joined in the proceedings by the outstanding musicianship of

Dave Mason on guitar, Graham Nash on guitar and piano, John Barbata on drums, and the amazing David Lindley on slide guitar, viola, violin, and mandolin. The perfectly blended background vocals supplied by Jennifer Warren, Graham Nash, Dave Mason and Glen Frey are amazing



This is, by far, one of the best country rock records ever recorded and should be rated alongside records like Neil Young's 'After the Goldrush',

Poco's 'From the Inside', CSN's 'Deja Vu' and The Flying Burrito Brother's

'The Gilded Palace of Sin'.



If you enjoy "Nice Baby....", you'll want to buy David Blue's "These 23 Days in September" and Cupid's Arrow". Both are outstanding.



My thanks to Wounded Bird Records for realizing the importance of David Blues music and releasing his albums."

David Blue Rocks!

Zita Medea | Tampa Bay, FL, USA | 05/01/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'd first heard about David Blue while reading an early Bob Dylan bio, the one written by Anthony Scaduto. Blue was part of Dylan's early folk circle, his personal friend, and was highly regarded in that scene both for his intellect and talent. When I first heard about this album, which was done in the early 1970's, the review I read (it was in the now defunct Soho Weekly News I think) was sketchy, but Graham Nash was mentioned as the producer, which piqued my interest, as this was the height of Crosby,Stills and Nash's popularity. So I bought the LP (it was all vinyl back then, kids) and gave it a listen. I was immediately struck by the quality of the arrangements, the lyrics and Blue's voice as well. He sounded like a man who was born to rock! Dancing Girl is a particularly nice, fast-paced number, and quite a departure from the folky stuff Blue has always been associated with. Unfortunately, David Blue's untimely death more than 30 years ago ended any chance he had of successfully moving from folk to rock ala Bob Dylan, but this one series of recordings clearly shows that he had the chops to do so."