Canadian multi-instrumentalist, Dan Walsh is already well known for his collaborations with a number of talented musicians. He’s added his bluesy-bluegrass signature style to more than two dozen albums and toured across North America, Europe and Australia.
For many years Walsh was a key member of Fred Eaglesmith’s band, The Flying Squirrels, where he played more than a couple of hundred gigs a year and shared the stage with the likes of Willie Nelson, Toby Keith, Delbert McClinton, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, Kelly Joe Phelps, Willie P. Bennett and the Del McCoury Band. Lately he’s been touring North America with noted singer-song writer Brock Zeman and appears on his latest album (The Bourbon Sessions), produced by Walsh & Zeman.
Now, at long last, we get Walsh solo with Diesel & Smokes (Busted Flat Records), the first release where the spotlight falls on Walsh’s instrumental genius. But in true Walsh style, his original compositions with dobro, lap steel and electric, baritone and acoustic guitars (and more) are not at all showy, but understated, moody -- and mesmerizing.
Tracks like “White Knuckle” infuse an old timey rhythm and melody cycle with a contemporary aesthetic. “Geary Street,” on the other hand, showcases his bent for folk-rock with echoes of the Allman Brothers and the Grateful Dead, while “Spark Plug” has a clear blues inflection.
Exclaim! magazine has already praised Diesel & Smokes: “The multi-talented Dan Walsh paints a vivid sonic picture of the touring life on his all-instrumental debut... Walsh’s adeptness at playing multiple instruments on each track...renders the organic sound of the recording all the more remarkable. Music to be listened to while driving alone at night” (Neil McDonald, 10/06/06 Exclaim!).
Musician, Corb Lund says of Walsh’s sound: "Walshy is awesome. I've played with him lots and he's on everybody's record and he's always tasty as hell."
Producer and musician, Gurf Morlix adds, “Dan is one of the most musical people I know. Never played a bad note in his life. Never will.”
“Walsh is what people sometimes refer to a ‘musician’s musician,’” say Mark Logan, founder of Busted Flat Records. “He’s so talented and he can play in so many different styles and voices, but he still has his own sound – his own vision and style. Diesel & Smokes is a tribute to his incredible versatility and originality.”
There is a seamless flow throughout Walsh’s instrumental compositions on Diesel & Smokes, and the production shows there’s nothing and nowhere to hide. There’s no slicked up, pumped up or pimped out production here, but a naked organic sound that highlights Walsh’s warm strings. Diesel & Smokes is intimate without being self indulgent.
Dan endorses these fine manufactures of quality instruments
Dan with Brock Zeman at Zaphod's in Ottawa, ON December 2007 Dan with Brock Zeman at Zaphod's in Ottawa, ON December 2007 Dan with Brock Zeman at The Northern Picnic in Cobalt, ON August 2007 Dan at the Willie P. Bennettfit in Peterborough, ON July 2007
A few members of The Nyne have started a new project under the name NTNA (which stands for "Not The Nyne Anymore"). Please indulge our egos, by visiting our page and commenting on our music. False praise, shameless flattery, and valid criticism are all welcome.
