A pity about the production
C. Rote | Victoria, Australia | 06/12/2007
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Here's a CD that sounded great when I heard snippets on the car radio, and then again when I heard the sound bites here at Amazon. But then, when I got the CD and put it on my high-grade home sound system, I was very dismayed to hear what sounds very much like a PC-based recording, probably a project undertaken with the best intentions, but relying too much on the 'home recording' medium. Bass instruments were obviously plugged straight in to the 'console', as were many of the guitars, resulting in a terribly unnatural and toneless (not to mention patchy) product. Strong bass (too strong, in fact), but totally unnatural, and with none of the tone that is contributed by amps and speaker boxes. Likewise the guitars, which sound suspiciously as though they've been played through 'pods', not real valve amps.
A pity really, as the songs are great and the singing fine. If you don't have a good, revealing sound system, or you don't mind if your recordings don't sound natural, this is a good CD. If, on the other hand, you want to imagine you're listening to the musicians playing live, it's impossible in this case.
This CD, probably more than any other I've ever bought, shows clearly why the emerging viewpoint that PC-based recording software has rendered studios redundant is flawed! I hope for his next CD Eugene goes back to using real amps, in real rooms with real microphones!
Great songs, great musicians, let down by the worst aspect of the digital age."
Judging the music not the recording.
E. Heroux | California | 06/26/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I really liked this album, I am by no means a blues buff but I thought it was great. Hideaway's lyrics and voice are smooth and comforting. A real delight."