Nashville-based singer-songwriter Don Gallardo’s newest release, When the Daylight Whispers Darling, is the follow-up to 2009’s Sweetheart Radio Revolution, etc., which gained listeners and a fan-following nationwide with its folk-tinged song. But, with Neilson Hubbard (Kim Richey, The Apache Relay) at the helm producing and a new backing band, How Far West, the album’s Music City inspiration makes When the Daylight Whispers Darling more country than his previous release.
Instantly, the album’s country influence is obvious with the twangy opener, “Time Pass By” with a toe-tapping beat and Dobro that hooks you right away. Following the opener, Gallardo offers up another upbeat country-tinted track, “Home,” which is flooded with mandolin and words of wisdom, “Home is in your heart/ Everywhere you’ve been my friend is home.” This song is pure down-home goodness. Then, Gallardo slows things down with “Rosalee” and “Come Together, Fall Apart.” Two delightfully doleful ballads about lost love and a failed relationship. And, despite the sedate and stripped-down music in “Skin and Bones,” Gallardo’s wise lyrics are somewhat encouraging. “Long Black Veil” is the only cover on When the Daylight Whispers Darling. Covered by many artists, most notably Dave Matthews and Johnny Cash, this track is a country tale about a man who has been wrongly accused of murder and executed because he refused to ruin the reputation of his mistress and best friend’s wife. Closing the album is a sad tale of lost love in the wistful and haunting “Wichita.”
When the Daylight Whispers Darling is a charming and melodic album overflowing with wonderful country-influenced tunes. This may be Don Gallardo’s best effort so far, proving he’s a great songwriter with a great future ahead of him.
— April Wolfe @ Common Folk Music
Purchase When the Daylight Whispers Darling
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