“Here we have a set of 13 solo acoustic guitar instrumentals [Bottomlands] performed on both steel and wood bodied instruments. There is a mixture of both cover numbers and originals, which all sit comfortably together. The guitar picking throughout is clear, crisp, beautifully crafted and with a very distinctive sound, played on a group of instruments that most of us players would die for including a 1928 National style O. The much recorded classic “Amazing Grace” has a stamp that is very much Dowling’s own, and the slide version of Stephen Foster’s “Hard TImes” bring this set to a perfect close.
~ ~ Blues in Britain.

 

Bismark Tribune - Entertainment

Dowling shares acoustic sunlight
by KEN ROGERS

Proof of Mike Dowling's style and  grace on guitar can be found in his newest recording, "Bottomlands" a collection of his bluesy instrumental arrangements.  On this release Dowlings fingerpicking is clean, articulate and masterfully simple.  There are no bad tracks on this acoustic performance.

The CD opens full of sunlight and warmth with "Wild 'bout it" and finishes with Dowling's arrangement of Stephen Fosters "Hard Times".  Its a CD with roots in the muddy brown water of southern backwaters.  Dowling leans on the "Swamp Dog Blues" to set the tone of "Bottomlands".  From the opening notes, "Swamp Dog Blues" captures the listener , using a nice blend of drama and repetition.  In "Rosalie" Dowlings guitar actually walks and talks.

On "Bottomlands" Dowling employs four vintage guitars -- a 1928 National Tricone, 1936 National style O, 1979 Martin M-36 and 1933 National El trovador.

A listener can hear strains of blues, swing and ragtime in "Bottomlands".  While "Amazing Grace" might seem like an odd choice for this collection of songs, Dowlings arrangement of the beloved but overdone tune works just fine.  The CD holds together from start to finish.