Doug Macleod - Unmarked Road

Unmarked Road is Doug MacLeod's third release for Sledgehammer Blues (née AudioQuest Music). While Doug's first two Sledgehammer Blues releases established him as a stand out performer of acoustic blues, they also heightened awareness of Doug as one of our finest songwriters. Doug had been writing great blues tunes (and collecting a basketful of Handy Award nominations) for many years, but the Sledgehammer Blues acoustic albums have allowed a much sharper focus on his abilities as a tunesmith.

When we first began to discuss plans for the new recording, we quickly decided that the focus would be very simple... the songs. Not special guests, not complicated arrangements, just the songs. We would look at each song and decide what kind of set up would best allow it to blossom. Sometimes, as on the haunting Little Songbird, it came down to just Doug and his guitar. On others, like the gospel influenced Roll Like A River, Doug has the support of a full band and the remarkable vocal group "Black Cherry". For serious good time grooves, check out I Want You and Cross-eyed In The Mind. Picking stand out tracks isn't easy. As usual on a Doug MacLeod recording they are ALL keepers!

1. Unmarked Road
2. Necessary Clothes
3. Little Songbird
4. Home Cookin
5. Talking With Strangers
6. Roll Like A River
7. Lost Like The Wind At Night
8. I Want You
9. Children Like You
10. Night Run To Freedom
11. Cross-eyed In The Mind
12. Old Country Road

Credits

All songs written by Doug MacLeod.

Performers
Doug MacLeod - guitar and vocals
Jeff Turmes - acoustic and electric bass
Steve Mugalian - drums
Oliver Brown - percussion
Michael Thompson - Hammond B-3 organ
John "Juke" Logan - piano
Clydene Jackson - vocals on "Unmarked Road" and "Roll Like A River"
Monalisa Young vocals on "Roll Like A River"
Carman Twillie vocals on "Roll Like A River"

Recording
Produced by Joe Harley
Recorded by Michael C. Ross at OceanWay Recording, Hollywood, CA - February 22 and 23, 1997
Assistant Engineers: John Sorensen and Greg Burns
Mastered by Bernie Grundman

2-AQM-1046