The face of modern folk, tempered with history

by Jim Trageser
This review first appeared in Turbula in May 2005.

Recorded in San Diego's Jimmy Duke club, the new album from singer-songwriter Dan Connor and his cohorts in Little Big Men is a fun romp through folk history and present.

Withi Connor's vocals and guitar backed ably by harpist Dan Byrnes and percussionist "Bongo" Bob Goldsand, "Live at Jimmy Duke's" is a fun and listenable collection of classic covers and Connor originals. From the old-timey charm of "John Henry" and "Shenandoah" through Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" to Connor's own "Busted Love," "Out in California," "Green Light" and a few others, this collection of tunes is a celebration of acoustic music.

Connor's high tenor voice is clear and expressive, if a bit thin at times. The tempo is generally energetic, the crowd appreciative and the recording quality as good as that of a studio.