CLARENCE BUCARO
Sense of Light
Rounder Records

Ohio native, Clarence Bucaro returns for his second full-length release entitled “Sense of Light”. The record finds the young-bluesman moving into a much more jazz centered environment than his previous alt-country blues debut on Burnside records. Switching labels to Rounder seems to have given Bucaro a greater sense of presence (hence the title) and confidence as a singer.

“Of A Trade” opens the record with a smooth Wilson Picket-like delivery. For a white guy Bucaro sure can sound black with soul and passion wrapped around a subtle melody. The introduction of horn arrangements filters into “Sugar Maples” giving the song the Michael Bolton treatment especially during the sax solo. By the time “Father Of Our Nation” kicks in Bucaro’s band is in full ‘Booker T and the MGs’ mode.

The Boston Phoenix calls Bucaro “…the roots-bound offspring of Jackson Browne and Rickie Lee Jones” primarily due to his elegant combination of acoustic guitar, gentle percussion, and accented horns all underneath a budding social conscience. The second half of the disc reflects the singers more acoustic style. Here his lyrics switch their focus from reflective to a wistful love.

Among the most enjoyable of this set are the Salsa-spiced “Light Me A Candle”, the soft shuffle of “All Living Things” and the acoustic vibrancy and absolutely gorgeous “Carolina Moon.”

Website: Rounder Records

Todd Smith, http://www.thecutting-edge.net