Peter Keane Another Kind of Blue (Broken White)

Peter Keane

Another Kind of Blue (Broken White)

Originally from New England, Peter Keane has called Austin home for quite some time now. While Texas has seeped into his music bit by bit, he continues to possess similarities to Bill Morrisey, Cliff Eberhardt, and David Wilcox, songwriters continuing to call his original stomping grounds home. Another Kind of Blue, Keane's first album in four years, is an interesting compilation of shrewdly constructed songs mixed with country-blues from the likes of Pete Johnson and Joe Turner, Dave Van Ronk, Austinite Chris Montgomery, Blind Willie McTell, and others. With the steady assistance of Charley Larkey on upright bass and Richard White on drums, plus his own skilled fingerpicking and laid-back vocal manner, Keane creates a soulful ambience that's darkly appealing and rich in emotion. Starting on "Columbus Avenue" in New York City, Keane travels to the Midwest (Skip James' "Illinois Blues"), and then Texas to meet Steve James' "Talco Girl," before ending up in Mississippi John Hurts' "Gloryland." Along the way, he explores the similarities of a traveling musician and a drug courier on the road song "Illegal Man," tries to dance and have some fun but ends up "Falling Down" instead, and finally ends up sober and facing "Another Kind of Blue," where "the sun's just passing through." Keane has produced an old-fashioned gem of a disc: one that gently draws the listener into its ethereal web and offers soothing delights and uncommon charm.