Description

I first met Dave Picco around 2004/2005 before his CD debut. We had periodic delightful conversations in some of St. John’s bohemian watering holes as he enthusiastically shared with me his love of Ron Hynes and other singer/songwriters. He sought my feedback on everything from the local music scene to his own thought process and intentions in the field. It was evident from the get go that he was sincere and at the ready to make his mark.

LIVE IT DOWN drops today at Fred’s Records, Picco’s fifth CD since 2005. He tells me directly that these songs were quickly written and quickly recorded, an approach honoured by many great artists with the intention of capturing immediacy and the fruits it bears. The opening track, “Up In The Air” exudes warmth and compares well to the recent solo offerings of Jeff Tweedy while “Still Love Ya” reveals his rock n’ roll barroom side, a jaunty ditty to get the listener swaying. On tracks 5 and 6 Picco seems to be channelling his ‘inner John Prine’ (hey, every singer-songwriter has one), the latter, “Top Shelf” featuring local legend Roger Howse on second guitar and old-timey fiddle part from Carole Bestvater helping to warm up the track with superbly sympathetic accompaniment.

“In The Fall”, hands down is the album’s finest number and as perfect a song as Picco has ever written. It possesses a degree of poignancy that evokes a deeper exploration of human emotion and in a simple snapshot allows us plenty to ponder and read between the lines. Whether it’s by intention or merely a directive of the subconscious, this song is an ideal example of the ‘less is more’ philosophy and hits the nail on the head, by virtue making it a piece of beauty.

The album closes with two lilting mid-tempo tunes. Contemplative without sinking into darkness, Picco always seems to be floating on a breeze even when hinting at sadness. Melancholy/blue moods agree with his acumen in his work. Dave Picco is not a wordy lyricist in the common usage we apply to songwriters. In fact he’s a gifted melody-man who arranges his thoughtful lyrics in a neat and simple fashion, relatable and always enjoyable.

The album features contributions from Mark Feener, Paddy Byrne, Chris Donnelly, Christina Bougie, Chris Picco, Janet Cull, Andrea Monro, Sherry Ryan, Sean Murray, Ryan Kennedy and Lexi Hicks as well as the aforementioned Roger Howse and Carole Bestvater.

ON SALE NOW AT FRED’S: $14.98 plus tax.