May 1999

Dave Frishberg
By Himself

By Patricia Myers

Dave Frishberg goes out alone on this one, unleashing his acerbic vocal wit on only four tracks, the remaining 10 filled with high-level solo piano.

Frishberg fans can't be faulted for loving the lyrics to "Can't Take You Nowhere," "I Want to Be a Sideman," "Saratoga Hunch" and "I Could Care Less," the cliche-filled sequel to his popular "Blizzard of Lies." Equally entertaining is his piano prowess, full of inventive riffs and runs, harmonics and dynamics as he explores "You Took Advantage of Me," "Last Night When We Were Young," "Groovin' High," "Jump for Joy" and a great Kansas City blues medley. Wonderful stuff.