www.stompindave.com

Reviews

Blues In The South Review Of Fake American Accent, April 08:

Dave Allen’s spectacular talent leaves us less talented people open mouthed in amazement. These two CDs show the multifaceted aspects of his work in all their glory. Fake American Accent is Dave in his (solo) bluegrass/ American roots music mode, with examples of his guitar, banjo and fiddle playing which, while they may sometimes come with a vocal in that bogus accent, (he hails from Bridport) loose absolutely nothing for that. Most of the music here is 19th and occasional 20th Century or older, stuff. The playing is exemplary and of course often comes with Dave’s skilled tap / flat-foot dancing/ clogging as part of the package. Once there was a show involving a ventriloquist on the radio (bet you can’t see my lips move!) and you might think that dancing on a CD is in the same category. But trust me, this really works adding a rhythmic dimension that is nothing short of magical.

Bluegrass & More, review of Cornish Bluegrass Festival, Apr 08:

Stompin’ Dave Allen proved quite a hit at last year’s Cornish Bluegrass Festival - and whilst not exactly a ‘traditional’ bluegrass artiste Stompin’ Dave certainly is a uniquely entertaining performer, enjoyed by many….as his gig list for the summer certainly indicates, Dave incorporates his voice, banjo, fiddle, guitar, slide guitar, harmonica, percussion & tap dancing into American roots music: old-time, bluegrass, blues, country blues, folk, vintage country & hillbilly - plus traditional songs & tunes, originals & covers. Do check out www.stompindave.com and consider buying Dave’s brand new CD.

Blues In Britain Review of Like A Lots Flower Growing In Muddy Waters, July 08:

Not to be confused with either an Irish comedian or a Californian surf guitarist, this Dave Allen hails from Bridport in Dorset and purveys Blues and other American roots musics, in both acoustic and electric formats. He does it well too; both of the sets under review are blues recordings, missing out on the bluegrass and other material that Dave performs maybe, but I doubt too many readers will mourn their absence – especially since this CDs is very fine indeed.

The acoustic set, dating from November 2006, features Stompin’ Dave on guitars, harmonica, percussion and tap-dancing (that’s right!), in addition to vocals – with no overdubs. Stylistically the tracks span a range from delicately finger-picked, nicely melodic material (all numbers are Allen originals) and items with the tap-dancing (or stomping, if you prefer) a significant and valid contribution through to raw, Mississippi styled one man band efforts in a Joe Hill Louis or Doctor Ross vein, or slightly more gently, perhaps recalling Jesse Fuller.  Judging from the tap dancing, I would guess that Dave's gigs are visual spectaculars too. Well worth investigating.  Rating: 8 - Norman Darwen