If you were listening to this album without looking at the cover, you might think you put on
Gold by
Ryan Adams. But
Clarence Bucaro takes it down more of a jazzier lane during the light and adult contemporary "Of a Trade." Making use of Tony Koussa's tenor saxophone, the singer is able to create a vivid and quite pleasing downtempo tune. This continues effortlessly on the lovely "Sugar Maples" featuring percussion and a great bassline. Here the song seems longer than it is thanks to a longer jazz-oriented bridge. Fans of
Aaron Neville might also seek comfort in the uplifting and hypnotic "Father of Our Nation." The mellow flavor thus far changes gears somewhat during the strutting "Light Me a Candle," as
Bucaro shows off some of his guitar work and a slight
Dr. John influence in his delivery. The deft touches and combinations used on the album would give musicians like
Sting food for thought. The true highlight is the soulful and tender "All Living Things," that is free of slick production values and heavy on heartfelt melodies. One slightly upbeat track is "Winter Killed the Roses" that recalls Jack Johnson or
John Mayer if they opted to ignore radio-friendly tunes. The first true departure from this mood is the early
Dylanesque singer-songwriter folk of "Carolina Moon." And
Bucaro backs this up with a darker, rootsy "Further Away From You." One odd song is the rather vaudeville-like tone of "Sweet on You," in large part due to trumpet and sousaphone. ~ Jason MacNeil