Review: Dale Stumbo

Dale Stumbo - Umbrella Man (Redbo)
In 1984 Dale Stumbo left Florida for Nashville, Tennessee, his ambition, to carve out a career for himself in one of America’s premier music towns. Over the years he’s played in all the right places, done his share of ‘in the rounds’ and demo’d songs for publishers and labels. Nashville’s a hard town to catch a break, and when it arrived he grabbed it with both hands, landing a songwriting contract and working for a big publishing company. The strange thing is, listening to “Umbrella Man”, contemporary country music isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. It’s Americana for sure, but there’s so much soul and Southern grit in Stumbo’s voice, it’s with folk like Bobby Charles and Leon Russell that comparisons are most easily drawn.

Caught up in the business side of music, it’s taken awhile for “Umbrella Man” to come to fruition, though it definitely sounds like time well spent. These are polished recordings, made with some of the best musicians available, and sung with passion and zeal. Opening with the title track, Johnny Neel (Allman Brothers) supplies the Hammond runs and plenty of what Stumbo calls ‘Americana Groove’ is plainly evident. It’s a great way the start the record, but it’s soon matched by “That Man's Shoes” and “You Are Me, I Am You”. They’re all fine songs, but perhaps my favourite is “Lazy River”. It’s as languid as its title suggests, and its sunshine and barefoot vibe is liberating and cathartic. Kick back and enjoy.
http://www.dalestumbo.com/
Rob F.