All Directions by the Donnis Trio

a Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

I am a member of a website that musicians use to submit their work to reviewers like myself. We can listen online and then if we want to hear more, we let them know they can send a CD. I never have time to go listen to these artists. So I get tons of submits a day and never even listen to them. I should just cancel it.

One day I was feeling guilty and I went there and listened to as many as I could. The ones I liked I said to go ahead and send something, but I made it clear that I was still not promising anything. When I suggested these guys send me the CD I got an email back from someone (not someone in the band, someone working for them) saying basically, 'are you sure, I see you usually review women…' I again said it was up to her whether or not she wanted to send it. I do not need any more music but I kind of liked what I heard and thought I'd be nice and give them a chance. She sent the CD and I listened to it and then felt really bad because I didn't like it at all.

Well it's a good thing I let it sit on my desk for 6 months because this time I like it.

The sound is pretty mellow folk or light rock guitar based. The vocals are lovely. Tip of the Tongue has a guitar line that reminds me of a Dar Williams song. This is always a good thing.

Lead singer Nate Donnis has a really cool deep gravelly voice. It gives these songs a bit of a dark feel. He also has a knack for writing really nice lyrics that evoke some wonderful images.

If you like the guy and guitar thing, well-written songs and a comfortable voice you should get this.

Posted on December 17, 2007