Deeper Roots
TOBY BONAR
(MySpace.com/tobybonar)
A singer/songwriter and astounding acoustic guitar picker, Bonar has recorded a superb debut album of country-blues originals that speak to matters of the heart and the anxiety of coping with modernity, phrased in contemporary language that still suits the genre. For instance, Mississippi John Hurt and early Bob Dylan have clearly influenced the young, local talent with the strong, assured voice but without causing him to ever go into hero-worship mode. Deeper Roots has that warm, living-room feel thanks to being recorded and mixed at Steve Connelly's Zen Recording Studios in Pinellas Park. It also benefits from expert backing by Alex Spoto (fiddle), George Pappas (harmonica) and Harry Hayward (drums), among others. Toby Bonar performs Jan. 25 at The Orpheum in Ybor City. 3.5 stars
This article appears in Jan 16-22, 2008.
