Doctor Moan
Sunset Blvd, 2023
8/10
An artist with an exceptional resume and a small handful of Grammy nominations, Peter Case returns with a 16th solo album, and it’s largely performed on piano and he’s joined by Jonny Flaugher (bass) and Chris Joyner (B3 organ) as well.
The firm piano and strong attention to mood of “Have You Ever Been In Trouble?” starts the listen with an expressive, cinematic presence, and “That Gang Of Mine” follows with much emotion fueling the poetic piano playing and vivid storytelling.
In the middle, the upbeat and rock’n’roll spirited “Give Me Five Minutes More” is one of the album’s best that recruits bluesy harmonica, too, while “Wandering Days”, the sole guitar driven track, is full of summery melodies and folk friendly strumming.
Near to the end, the stirring piano of “4D” doesn’t need singing to illustrate its emotional depth, and “Brand New Book Of Rules” exits with Case’s powerful pipes amid the flowing piano of the timeless finish.
Although his early days were steeped in punk rock sounds, Case has since pursued more acoustic endeavors, and his hit with The Plimsouls, “A Million Miles Away”, is still one of the best tunes ever penned. These 11 tracks are certainly well crafted, too, as Case’s talents are still very much abundant and articulate.
Travels well with: Joe Henry- All The Eye Can See; Dave Alvin- From An Old Guitar: Rare And Unreleased Recordings