Bob Stark - Whatcha Gonna Do
Folk, Adult Alternative
Vancouver, Canada
Overall Impression: "Whatcha Gonna Do" is a strikingly haunting new release from Canadian singer/songwriter Bob Stark. Accompanied by only sparsely fingerpicked acoustic guitar, Stark delivers a hazy love letter to a former flame on this track, his restrained vocals bolstered by ghostly, beautiful harmonies from Karly Warkentin. This minimalistic approach to production does well to enhance the natural austerity here, conjuring a raw and primitive sound that's sure to appeal to traditional folkies and blues fans. Contemporary audiences will also find a lot to like about Bob Stark's "Whatcha Gonna Do", as high quality song craft such as this never goes out of style.
Strongest Point(s): Excellent production, solid mix. Amazing atmosphere, right from the top. The sparse, bare-bones arrangement works really well in the context of the song. Mesmerizing guitar riff, love the drop D tuning. Nice chord progression, especially on the turn around. Karly's vocal sounds absolutely fantastic, and adds so much to the overall vibe, particularly her part on the "home is where the heart is" section. The lead vocal has a wonderful hushed quality, and the lyrical content is both vivid and stirring. The narrative comes across with great lucidity, drawing the listener in right away and keeping them engaged until the very end. All in all, this is a powerful bit of songwriting and a fine, finished track with plenty of character. Tremendous work by all involved.
Target Audience Appeal: Fans of Folk, Blues, Contemporary Folk, Folk-Blues, Acoustic Blues, Progressive Folk, Singer/Songwriter, Indie Folk
Artist target suggestions: Leo Kottke, John Fahey, Michael Hedges, Richard Thompson, Mark Knopfler, Bert Jansch, Ry Cooder, Gary Lucas, Nick Drake, Leonard Cohen
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About the Reviewer:
Steven Azami is a multi-instrumentalist with over 25 years of experience in the music industry. Both as a touring/session player and as a producer, his career has spanned nearly every genre, from bluegrass to jazz, from rock to reggae. In addition, his work as a music educator has allowed him to cultivate and foster talent among the next generation of musical explorers