MIKE MELTZER

Mike Meltzer
The Big Go-'Round (TMOP)
By: Geoff Melton

When a virtually unknown artist puts together a self-released debut that features the likes of Peter Case, Syd Straw, DJ Bonebrake and Danny Frankel among the contributors, expectations are automatically high. In the case of Mike Meltzer and his debut The Big Go-'Round, those expectations are not only met, they're easilly exceeded. Drawing on a diverse array of influences, Meltzer has come up with an excellent disc based in the rootsier sounds, but branching out into everything from the string quartet flourishes of "The Man Who Would Be King", the dark "Go Away" and the sparse "Right Train" (co-written by Milo Binder) to the Roy Orbison like sounds of "After the Darkness" and "Oh, Well", the stirring, extremely catchy, horn-driven Syd Straw duet "Beat the Odds" (my favorite cut here) and the stripped down acoustics of "Damn Blue Skies". With The Big Go'-Round Meltzer has come up with a warm, heartfelt debut that's hopefully the first of many.


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From Country-Rock Specialisten (Sweden):

The Big Go-'Round is a disc that grows on you. Mike Meltzer's songs attach themselves more each time I hear them. He has a melodic voice and natural rhythm. Musically, he moves on the borderland between rock and country like a kind of rock troubador. Unlike many others, he left the dusty roads and scrappy expressions behind to take advantage of a more sophisticated tone. The production is airy with a light-footed swing. Several recognized names are featured guests such as Greg Leisz, Syd Straw and Peter Case.