"Heavyweight (Acoustic)" EP by Joe Dolman
Review
I honestly can't say that I was too surprised by the release today of an acoustic companion EP to Joe Dolman's most recent ‘Heavyweight' nor by its qualities.
The way he writes, (and this collection catches him on career-to-date top form) his songs work equally as well in fuller arrangements & in simpler formats (which indeed are reflected in his modes of performance) and although there will not be an ounce of cynical calculation in issuing multiple readings of his pieces, he surely realises the nature of his own work & its capacity for alternative renderings: this is far from his first exercise in such releases.
It is very easy to say that stripping the songs back adds to their innate poignancy, but then sometimes the truth is a simple matter & you need to acknowledge it….
"Real World", "Strangers", "The Lucky One" and "Get It Wrong" are back present & correct again and since I've already told you about each track, there isn't too much I can add except to suggest that if you liked them to begin with, your pleasure & understanding can only be enhanced by hearing them denuded of all but Joe's voice & minima of arrangements. You might though want to have a box of tissues to hand.
