Regular Columnists

Artist: David Leinweber
Album: Songs From the Dark Shadows: A Gothic Tribute
Website: http://www.davidleinweber.com
Genre: Acoustic Folk/Rock
Technical Grade: 10/10
Production/Musicianship Grade: 10/10
Songwriting Skills: 10/10
Best Songs: Ballad Of Barnabas, Millicent, Eyes Of Angelique
CD Review: David Leinweber is back with a great follow up to his Silverbird release and it’s a Dark Shadows musical. Songs From the Dark Shadows-A Gothic Musical continues the theme he first started with Daphne, a tribute to the character played by Kate Jackson on the 60’s supernatural soap opera. David’s finger picking skills are on full display as well as his considerable songwriting skills. David plays guitar of course, but adds mandolin, piano and background vocals. Mary Leinweber plays violin and Jim Doggett adds string bass. But the real star is the songwriting. Written as a Gothic musical, these songs hold up on their own. There are 24 cuts on the CD, including reprises, and it’s hard to pick out a few favorites, I can recommend every song on this record. But, if pushed, I really liked the Ballad of Barnabas, Millicent, Eyes of Angelique, and Annabel Lee. I don’t know if David will ever be able to produce a stage version of Dark Shadows-A Gothic Musical. It’s much more than a loving tribute to a long lost television series, these songs take on a life of their own. Listeners need not even be aware that there was once an afternoon soap opera about vampires that took the country by storm. But after Songs From the Dark Shadows-A Gothic Tribute, I feel the need to search out some of the old episodes.