Dozzler & Van Merwyk - Darkest Night (CD)

With "Darkest Night," two internationally acclaimed blues artists, Christian Dozzler & Michael van Merwyk, celebrate their debut as a duo. In 2012, the two Europeans (who had known each other since working together on the Larry Garner album "Embarassment to the Blues") met again by chance in Memphis and began planning a joint project. After a successful initial European tour, these two world-class players now showcase their full talents on "Darkest Night."
Christian Dozzler, a native of Vienna and now based in Dallas, is a highly esteemed exponent of piano blues who also masterfully handles the harmonica and accordion. His partner, German multi-instrumentalist Michael van Merwyk, initially gained experience through hundreds of performances in his home country and has since taken the international stage by storm in recent years.
On "Darkest Night," the two six-foot-tall musicians present handcrafted acoustic blues at its finest. Among the 13 tracks are a few forgotten blues rarities, some nearly 100 years old. The duo demonstrates a deep respect for tradition—but by no means wants to remain stuck in the past.
During a relaxed recording session in one day, they also drew on several of their own compositions. Several pieces composed by Dozzler, such as "Long Cold Winter" and "Try To Forget," draw on the skill and power of his barrelhouse-style piano playing; complemented by van Merwyk's sensitive acoustic guitar, they evoke the spirit of such legendary duos as Big Maceo Merriweather & Tampa Red and Leroy Carr & Scrapper Blackwell. His ballad "A Million Miles," on the other hand, sounds much more modern and even suggests country music luminary Willie Nelson. (The decade in Texas clearly rubbed off on Dozzler.) Van Merwyk's song contributions include the groovy, uptempo number "Good Lovin'" and the memorable "Ain't No Bluesman," co-written with Larry Garner. Almost even more impressive is the elegant, heartfelt title track, "Darkest Night": Here, the yearning sound of the lap steel guitar is subtly and effectively supported by the piano. The exuberant instrumental piece, "Sir Wilson's Bounce," conjures up the boogie-woogie spirit of the 1940s and leaves you wanting more.
Following the release of "Darkest Night" in spring 2014, Dozzler & van Werwyk hit the road again under the banner "Four Meters of Blues" and tour extensively throughout Europe. Their skillful handling of older blues gems and new, original pieces also makes one thing clear live: these two musicians are not just great, they are also brilliant.

01 Good Loving
02 I Can't Sleep
03 I'm Gonna Rock Some More
04 Ain't No Bluesman
05 Some Cold and Rainy Day
06 Loose Lips
07 Long Cold Winter
08 A Million Miles
09 Black Ace
10 I'll Try to Forget
11 Sir Wilson's Bounce
12 It's Alright
13 Darkest Night