American Country Magazine (Bruno Michel)

Dave Maswick: All The Lies of Spain

In two statements, Dave Maswick himself describes best what kind of music moves him: "The first time I saw the Beatles, I knew: that's the kind of music you want to make", he says. And: "In the late 70s, the Stony Creek Band was referred to as progressive Bluegrass. Nowadays, you'd rather call it alternative Country instead". Maswick stayed with Stony Creek for 25 years.

The album title, All the Lies of Spain, is due to former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet's testimony when he defended himself in court against all of Spain's allegations.

The output includes Country Pop songs like "Nothin' She Can Do" but also ballads like "Be The One". Maswick himself penned all ten songs' lyrics as well as plenty of melodies. For the rest he used the skills of some of the best musicians and songwriters the American Northeast has to offer, such as John Kribs or Alison Jacobs.

Apart from the titles already mentioned, particularly the songs that sound more like Rock such as "Norveline" or "Lucky Day" are appealing. Worth listening to are also the fiddle tune "When My Baby Come Home" and the by a fast playing mandolin pervaded "From Now On".

Dave Maswick offers a well-blended outline of his work here. Available at www.bob-media.com