Small master.
On his fourth CD American Ernest Troost once again proves thirteen times exactly where he stands: on the crossroads of blues, folk, county and singer-songwriter.
The composer of music for movies and tv series exchanged that trade after some 35 years for writing and playing his own songs and clearly is still very fond of his first love.
Troost starts off just as restlessly as convincingly in the threatening Old screen door, a song full of revenge with a fatal outcome. His bass and electric guitar stress the atmosphere, but it is often just as effective in the semi-acoustic songs. Then Troost plays acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin, harmonica, pump organ and sometimes bass, although friends like bassist Mark Goldberg and percussionist Debra Dobkin assist him.
In seemingly autobiographical songs he sings with lots of empathy about failed relationships, although he still believes in love in Close, which sounds just as beautiful as melancholic.
That his songs convince immediately is also because of his vocals, which are flawless, natural and emotional at the same time. He makes regret and longing audible without having to use those words.
Troost’s inspired craft proves itself all the time in his carefully constructed songs, his consciously chosen instrumentations and his lyrics, which are written from original angles, be it in one of two up tempo songs or superior ballads like Storm comin’ or When it’s gone.
After his All the boats are gonna rise (2004), Resurrection Blues (2009) and Live at McCabe’s (2012) Troost once again proves that he rightly chose his own voice.
***1/2www.ernesttroost.com