Skip Denenberg
"The Morningstar Sessions"
(skipdenenberg.com, (ASTERISK)(ASTERISK)(ASTERISK) { stars)
Skip Denenberg opens "The Morningstar Sessions" with "His Old Tattoo," using that image of ink on an arm to weave a moving tale of love and loss. It's an exquisite piece of writing, set to an equally warm and inviting folk-rock arrangement, and it sets the tone for the album. The veteran Philadelphia singer-songwriter also writes winningly about relationships in numbers such as "I Think About Us (The Wedding Song)" and the infectious, banjo-inflected "Emmylou," while the reflective "September" has a fittingly autumnal air. Denenberg also displays a deft comic touch on "My Pet Peeve (The Valentine Song)," and "The Ballad of Tex Cobb" is a rousing country-rocker about the hard-living boxer and actor. He also injects some bite with the accusatory "You Talk a Good Game" and "Wages of Spin," In which he manages to sound topical without being too specific, a subtle approach that gives the songs more lasting and universal power.
_ Nick Cristiano
