Gig / CD Review
Friday night, December 29, 2006
Acoustic Coffee, 32 Danforth Street, Portland, ME

Doug’s CDs are available at local music stores, CD Baby, and iTunes – more information on Doug's website!

Photo by Klaus Steinort
Doug Kolmar

Doug Kolmar at Acoustic Coffee – feels like having a good friend over for conversation in my own living room!

Doug’s music is best consumed in a listening room like Acoustic Coffee. He can hold his own in a bar gig, but the sophistication of his lyrics and the subtleties in his melodies and harmonic structures require some attention in order to get their full affect.

His first CD, “Homebody, Somebody”, was released in 2005, and produced by Doug and Dave Smith, a Maine Songwriters Association buddy. It is a collection of six of Doug’s early gems. “Better Part of Me” has a series of verses that chronicle aspects of the world that are hard to believe in, and why; the chorus reflects on the amount of life energy that has been spent by the narrator in worrying about these leaps of faith that can be so hard to make in our lives. The disc, as a whole, is a very nice half-hour of contemplative, simple, well-crafted songs delivered in Doug’s smooth, resonate voice, and accompanied by finger style and jazz/classical influenced guitar.

Doug released his second CD, "As If I Was Almost Here”, in July of 2006. Twelve new songs, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Josh Powell(Moses Atwood, Samuel James); a very professionally executed effort! Doug’s writing and performance are at another level in this new disc. My favorite is “These Four Things”, a slow burning reflection on choices made, ambitions left behind, and acceptance and appreciation for the good things that have resulted. His vocals are unique in that he has an ability to dig deep into the bottom range, while still being comfortable in the mid-range. This song demonstrates that low range in a very enjoyable way.

Doug had a full house for his set at Acoustic Coffee on this New Year’s weekend. It was obvious that most of the crowd were fans, as they were focused on his performance and occasionally sang quietly along. Doug has a very relaxed and confident stage presence, joking easily about the quirky sound system issues, and providing poignant or humorous background for the tunes. I own both of Doug’s CDs, and know his music well, but I always try to catch his live shows if I can.

Just a note about Acoustic Coffee – as you may have heard, the name of this venue is changing.

This may seem like an odd strategy, considering the good will assets carried by that name. Acoustic Coffee has been a must-play venue for acoustic musicians and songwriters from Maine. Touring acts know that they can get an attentive audience and a good crowd there, and that it’s a great way to break into the Portland scene.

None of that will change, though, as the venue becomes The Goat Head Soup Lounge. There will be a wider variety in musical genres, a menu that will now include soup, and a slightly changed physical arrangement. What won’t change is the commitment to local and touring artists, the tight community of patrons, songwriters, and performers, and the warm, inviting, family oriented atmosphere. Mike O’Connor and his crew are looking forward to the new musical opportunities and the new faces that this change will bring, while inviting the old crowd to stick around and remain part of the fun. I’m planning on making the most of it!

Let us all know what you think of the new name, and the changes in the venue!

All the best to you!
Bob McKillop

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