m. scott horn

A passion for the Piedmont, or "fingerpicking" style of guitar was Akron, Ohio's M. Scott Horn's introduction to the blues, as well as a love for the acoustic elements of past masters such as Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt. And, after being told by no less than Jorma Kaukonen (of Hot Tuna and Jefferson Airplane fame), that he liked Scott's gruffly-unique singing voice, the subsequent efforts have produced Fake As The Blue, a predominantly-solo, acoustic set. Fellow Akron resident Jim Ballard adds keyboards on two tracks to this quite enjoyable set from a young man who is effectively able to channel the sounds of his mentors into something distinctively his own. There are four outstanding originals and five covers herein that pay homage to those from whom he has absorbed stylings and techniques. His version of Dylan's "She Belongs To Me" is especially captivating, as is one of our all-time favorites, Robert Johnson's "32-20 Blues." It is his original work that we enjoyed the most, tho. A love that has come to a bitter end is the subject of "And I Don't Know Why," leaving Scott to ponder why "she had to run and hide." And, the haunting "The One I Had," "someone holds for me," is punctuated by Jim Ballard's piano work, a perfect complement to Scott's plaintive vocal lines. Fake As The Blue is a great way for M. Scott Horn to kick off his career as a bluesman. For a refreshing take on the blues as an acoustic form, getcha a copy today and see if you don't agree with us that Scott is the "real deal!"


Sheryl and Don Crow
Music City Blues Society
Nashville, Tennessee
- Music City Blues Society

"M. SCOTT HORN/Fake as the Blue: Some chance happenings at Jorma Kaukonen's guitar camp led to Horn finding his voice in more ways than one. An aspiring finger picker, he was advised to open the lens and appreciate those who have influenced him and it opened up a vista that goes from the usual suspects to grand cult heroes and influences. Still a finger picker at his core, this is an easy folkie flavored date that works best when you put it on and let it work it's magic on it's own. Tasty stuff that comes in from left field in a very unexpected way. Check it out."

CHRIS SECTOR,
Editor and Publisher,
MIDWEST RECORD
Volume 28/Number 19 - Midwest Record

"Finger-style guitar is order of the day on this offering from singer songwriter, M Scott Horn. A mixture of original songs and covers embracing the blues, country and folk music. The majority of the album is a solo effort, with Scott only being accompanied on 2 tracks by Keys Player, Jim Ballard. Scotts early music influences, Robert Johnson and Robert Pete Williams have their songs 32-20 Blues and Levee Camp Blues featured here, and are excellent renditions. However, his tastes are varied, and brought up to date with a powerful cover of Dylans She Belongs To Me. A very fine album."

Steve Nicholson.
- Issue #32 June 2006

"Apart from the occasional keyboard and bass support, as supplied by fellow Akron, Ohio musician Jim Ballard, this is a solo acoustic guitar piece from Scott. The nine numbers here range from Dylan's 'She Belongs to Me', to Blind Blake's 'West Coast Blues' which particularly showcases Scott's deft finger-style; Clarity and precision enhance each number in turn. This picking, combined with his somewhat similar vocal style to Mr. Dylan, produces an incorrect but pleasant image, recreating the fervent aura and impassioned protest songs played in the early sixties.
Whilst performing splendid renditions of covers that include the likes of Robert Johnson's '32-20 Blues' and Guy Clark's 'Don't Let the Sunshine Fool You', the three original compositions from Scott on this album are by no means overshadowed by the quality of the other numbers. They merely merge together to create a very pleasant and enjoyable album. I would say that M. Scott Horn is a heavily smouldering talent for the future."

B. Harman
BLUES IN THE SOUTH - Blues in the South

"Akron, Ohio’s M. Scott Horn’s guitar work reflects the influence of blues legends like Blind Blake, Robert Pete Williams, Reverend Gary Davis, and even Robert Johnson, but his palate is broad enough to include other artists like Bob Dylan, Guy Clark, Nick Drake, Roy Bookbinder and former Hot Tuna/Jefferson Airplane guitarist Jorma Kaukonen. All these influences are shown to full effect in Horn’s latest effort, Fake As The Blue (self-released).

Horn’s guitar style is gentle and soothing and his plaintive vocals are distinctive. The disc consists of nine tracks, four originals and five covers originally done by some of his influences, Dylan, Clark, Williams, and Johnson. The covers are very well done, especially the Dylan tune, “She Belongs To Me,” and Horn’s take on Clark’s “Don’t Let The Sunshine Fool You” is also a standout, as is “Williams’ “Levee Camp Blues.” Obviously, Horn’s musical tastes are as diverse as his talent.

Horn’s own compositions range mostly from forlorn tales of lost love (“And I Don’t Know Why” and “Someday”) to the poignant closer, “One I Had.” He also does a jaunty instrumental, “West Coast Blues.” Jim Ballard contributes keyboards and bass on a couple of tracks, but Horn plays solo for the most part.

Fake As The Blue is a nice set of acoustic blues guitar that will please fans of the genre. To purchase this fine set, go to www.cdbaby.com."

Graham Clarke - Blues Bytes

It isn’t just due to the presence of the intriguingly different cover of Bob Dylan’s mid-sixties classic ‘She Belongs To Me’, but this largely solo album by Akron, Ohio singer/ guitarist M. Scott Horn recalls the heady days and strong conviction of the American folk and blues revival – though ‘Fake As The Blue’ is not a retro set as such.

Scott is a strong vocalist, a little reminiscent of the aforementioned Mr. Zimmerman, and his guitar work is an impressive finger style, nowhere more so than on the cover of Blind Blake’s ‘West Coast Blues’ though Scott reveals himself to be an inventive musician throughout. His fellow home-towner Jim Ballard adds a few deft touches of support on keyboards and bass, and with three of his own originals holding their own against some illustrious cover versions (not mentioned are those from Guy Clark, Jackson C. Frank, Robert Johnson and Robert Pete Williams), the talented M. Scott Horn is certainly a name to watch.

Norman Darwen - BluesArtStudio

When Akron native M. Scott Horn attended a guitar camp hosted by Jorma Kaukonen of Jefferson Airplane, the legendary artist pulled Horn aside to let him know he shouldn't waste such a talented and unique voice. Taking Kaukonen's advice, Horn immersed himself further into acoustic blues. With his debut, Fake as the Blue, Horn showcases nine acoustic tracks (four originals and five covers) with Jim Ballard adding keyboard and bass on a few of the original songs. Horn's voice is powerful and in-tune even when Horn travels into the lower registers and nearly whispers some of his words. The guitar work is also fantastic with Horn's influences shining through. The two covers that stand out are Dylan's "She Belongs To Me" and Robert Johnson's "32-20." Not only does Horn pull off the covers brilliantly; he also adds his own unique sound to both.

Dave Edwards

http://www.freetimes.com/locals_only/1421

- Volume 14, Issue 21

"Based in Akron, Ohio, Horn is a singer/songwriter well worth giving a "good listen", This cat has talent, to be sure, and is a wonderful storyteller. I could not in all honesty call this a Blues record, but if he were to be performing in my hometown, I'd be among the first in line for tickets. During the Blues revival of the 1960s, legendary Blues players were being introduced on both Folk and Jazz venues. Scott Horn shows enough of that Blues influence to grab my attention... and has enough talent going for him to hold that interest throughout. If like me, you cut your teeth (musically speaking) on Folk and what has been termed Americana or Roots Music, this one might well be to your liking. Singer/ songwriters are the earliest of the musical entertainers, the backbone of the business... and all too often the least respected of all artists. From time to time artist lays fingers to strings and beauty is created. Give this one a listen. You might just stumble across a diamond in the rough."

Bill Wilson
- Billtown Blue Notes