When a man like Eddie �Baltimore� Hutchison dies, it sends reverberations of regret throughout the communities in which he so selflessly gave his heart and soul � regret from those who knew him and regret from those, like me, who did not. Nevertheless, the value of being a musician (or any other kind of artist) lies in the fact that their essence will always live on in their products of creation, not destruction. I can think of a great many musicians whose personalities I don�t care for and yet I love their music, and vice versa.
Going by the music on this CD and the many heartfelt tributes to him on his website, Eddie impresses me highly in both respects. He did not hesitate to share his own knowledge and admiration of other music-driven people, and that�s what it�s all about. He seems to have taught much more than the mechanical and technical aspects of creating music. He also taught humanity, and this is expressed in The Space Between, an immortal reminder of human strength versus weakness, with healthy doses of optimistic humour and compassion. He nails the nature of music in the liner notes: �It�s ALL blues�categories are a myth.�
Apart from the soulful ruminations of �Winter Blues� and �Cold Sidewalk�, there is an upbeat, relaxed approach in this hook-driven songwriting, along with a host of talented friends and colleagues supporting his musical and lyrical insights.
Fans of his American counterparts such as Fred McDowall, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Ray Bonneville, John Prine, Leon Russell, John Hiatt, Ry Cooder, Bruce Springsteen, and Bonnie Raitt, just to name a few comparisons, will want to include Eddie Baltimore among their collection of musicians who have something worthwhile to say and express it beautifully. I know it�s become one of my all-time favourites.
Speaking of favourites, The Space Between is full of gems, but I especially liked �Lovely Mess, �Any Colour But Blue�, �Goodbye�, �Bullfrog�, �Cold Sidewalk�, "Redemption" and, best of all, �Shut Up and Listen�. I�ll close off this review with that hint. |
