David Massey

David Massey starts ‘Blissful State of Blue’ with the nostalgic lament of ‘Labor Day’, a song that looks wistfully at the passing of time, and he doesn’t really vary the mood too much for the rest of the album. Thankfully Massey’s song writing does not depress the listener, just puts them in a more reflective state of mind. In fact no other album has probably possessed a more apt title than this one. Music to soundtrack those rapidly approaching winter nights. - Americana UK

David Massey's songs are a mix of traditional country, some rock and folk added in, with even a hint of bluegrass. While I never had heard of David Massey before, as it is his debut album, I expect a lot from this new singer- songwriter (do they grow on trees over there?). While there unfortunately is very little information on this man’s website (fix that quickly, David) what is on the album is worth listening to. Accompanied by some of Washington DC's finest musicians such as: Mike Auldridge on dobro, Stephen Wade on the banjo, Zan McLeod on the guitars, mandolin and percussion and as well as the producer of this disc, Bill Starks on a Hammond B3 organ, with beautiful backup vocals by Emily & Susan Hsu and bluegrass singer Sally Love, David Massey manages, with his storytelling, to blow away celebrities such as John Prine, James McMurtry, Todd Snider and others that have preceded him. The compact disc doesn't have sparkling upbeat songs on it: for example there is a story about the death of an old man (Just an Old Dog), The Drunken Letter, about a letter an American soldier wrote after finding out about the birth of his son, the supplication to Jesus and Mohammed to protect our children (Angeline), and perhaps the prettiest number on this masterpiece, The Loneliness I've Known. I also noticed, but this is probably very personal, that track 5, Pretty Summer Day, reminds me of the Italian troubadour Angelo Branduardi. In other words, David Massey will do well with this disc and is a strong candidate to end up at the top of my yearly list. In conclusion I can also report that the CD is in a pretty digi-pack and for those that do not believe me, feel free to take a look at www.cdbaby.com/cd/dmassey. You can hear samples of the album, but more importantly you can buy the album because David is giving half of the proceeds to two organizations. Great album! - Rootstime

You like your Country with a bluegrass filter? You like banjo pickin’ in the background, a singer with a likeably gentle voice, songs that tell stories and keep you interested until the last bar? Welcome to David Massey territory. Massey has been compared to the likes of Lucinda Williams, John Prine, Steve Forbert and Todd Snider, but he really has a strong enough identity to stand up for himself. ‘Blissful State of Blue’ is a charming album, recorded with a basic band comprising Zan McLeod (guitars, bass), Robbie Magruder (drums) and Jason Byrd (backing vocals). But onto the simple musical framework that informs most of the songs on this debut CD, Massey grafts accordion, the aforementioned banjo, piano etc., to produce interesting soundscapes. Each song has a complete identity. Take The Drunken Letter, based on a note from a twenty-six-year-old fighter pilot, George Rarey, stationed in England in 1944. In it, Rarey describes his joy at becoming a father. Three months later he is dead. Massey’s adaptation of the story is sensitive and erudite, with Fred Lieder’s keening cello adding pathos. Massey’s not afraid to rock out, though, with Angeline guaranteed to get you whistling the chorus in next to no time. In many ways, Massey reminds me of a countrified Al Stewart - his voice has that high, gossamer quality that has been Stewart’s trademark for years. Added to that, his obvious storytelling ability, and you have a great combination. - Comes With A Smile

His manner wry, his intonation warm, singer/guitarist David Massey (Law ’84) has a way with lyrics. “I’ll give up streaming video/To get back my old rope swing tire.” The song is “Labor Day,” just one of the 13 gems off Massey’s debut album, Blissful State of Blue. The sentiment is evocative, nostalgic. So, too, is the sound, recalling classic seventies radio fare by James Taylor, Jim Croce, and Loggins & Messina. Massey recently put out the CD on his own label, Poetic Debris, and the disc has gotten a push from some unexpected places, like radio stations in Belgium and Switzerland that have a yen for American roots music.

Not bad for a lawyer. While Massey picked up the guitar in college and, inspired by alternative-country legends like Lucinda Williams and Steve Earle, began writing songs, he actually earns his bread and butter as a partner in the Washington, D.C., law firm of Sutherland Asbill & Brennan. But there’s nothing pinstriped about his music.

Instead, think comfortably faded denim. Dobro, fiddle and mandolin augment Massey’s six-string on original tunes, literate and generally wistful, that range from a prayer about Mideast conflict to musings about Pickett’s Charge in the Civil War. Of course, Massey also tries his hand at the staple folk themes of yearning, loneliness and love lost – and from the calypso lilt of “Since You Took My Ring” to the epic banjo-driven ballad “Marilee McGrath,” he turns in performances consistently fresh and authentically charming.
- University of Virginia Alumni News