Artist: Danny Barnes
Album: Pizza Box
Danny Barnes, born in Temple and raised in Belton, pitches his biggest soul stirrer till date. Often pegged the ‘god of banjo,’ the guru casts a musical spell with his latest album, Pizza Box that leaves you wanting more of his music. Alternating between his inimitable country style with influences from punk and jazz, which he picked up from his gramps, he sets out a list of renditions that runs your iPod dry of its juice.
The reviewer would have passed up on this musical talent had it not been for his favourite rockband Dave Matthews Band, which tweeted its addiction for this farmboy music. The licensed pilot-turned-skateboarder musician is currently touring across Manchester, Cincinnati and Maryland Heights. Typically, the musician has picked up an enviable motley of rockstars, from Mike Gordon, Jeff Austin to Robert Keen as his ardent fans.
The old timer, who is Twitter savvy nonetheless, is a stickler for ol’ Danny style of working things. The man’s music is a lyrical journey of randy folksy music. Strumming of banjo or acoustic guitar are not too hard to miss. His honey-dipped, chocolatey voice lisps folksy, insightful lyrics. You, however, won’t find the lyrics anywhere — Barnes believes that each listener must interpret his own lyrics to the song! Gracefully and gratefully, his hustling voice is never overpowered by a heavy background score.
Pizza Box is paisa wasool, even if you’ve got to order it online and pay in dollars. Caveman packs a punch with its unadulterated banjo twinge.
Pizza Box, the title song, is superfluously relaxing, your typical tonic, after a hard day’s work. Miss Misty Swan is another trippy beat sung to soulful lyrics. Overdue, another crazy rendition, is epic, ol’ Danny should be careful, lest Anu Malik hears it...
The music is dandy; the only thing to beat may perhaps be to watch DMB play with the man himself, live in concert.