David Ullman
Unplugged @ Uncorked brings you the fourth release from Cleveland’s own David Ullman. A series of live recordings taken from Akron’s Uncorked, this album takes listeners directly to the intimate surroundings of the wine bar and into the entire live experience, with vocals and pre/post song conversation present. Perfect practice if you plan on attending his performance this Fri 1/28 at Arts Collinwood Cafe.
Ullman clearly has talent. Live cuts can’t keep secrets, and these tracks reveal honest vocals and a clear voice. Unplugged @ Uncorked is an acoustic rendition of Ullman’s highs and lows in love, even breaking into a bitter spell against all the schmoozers and schmucks with “Mullet Man.” Sticking to acoustic rock with a slight stray towards folk, it is easy, anytime listening.
The album includes three covers – U2, Jewel, and Swell Seasons – and seven original songs. As it is a live recording, the album offers dialogue from Ullman and the crowd with reasoning behind his song choice and writing process. The songs are just Ullman and his guitar, giving off the coffee shop atmosphere and visions of a fireplace and hot chocolate. Instrumentally, the guitar pieces are relatively simple, yet well done, accenting the vocals as well as subject matter.
There are smatterings of canned phrases – “give you an inch and you take a mile,” “I know kindness is contagious, but come on be courageous,” or “forever and a day” – that occasionally take away from the overall feel of the song, as the phrases have been heard enough to lose meaning. Each song revolves around love and relationships, yet some are difficult to get the emotion out of outside vocals and tone. The lyrics can get carried away within the song and lose meaning.
Unplugged @ Uncorked is an album offering rich flavors with soothing overtones.
Unplugged @ Uncorked is available this week for free download on Ullman’s site: http://DavidUllman.net. He does his best to accommodate your schedule and will be playing a 9PM show at The Arts Collinwood Cafe this Fri 1/28, as well as monthly shows on every fourth Friday. He is also a staple performer at Phoenix Coffee and the Barking Spider Tavern.
Laurie Wanninger is a Cleveland convert, having lived in Pittsburgh for 20 years. After attending John Carroll University, she was sold on the city and now lives, works and breathes Cleveland. Spare time is spent DJing Music for Your Laundry List at WJCU 88.7, bicycling, going to local concerts and dreaming of microbrews and National Parks.