Doug MacLeod – Exactly Like This – Vinyl LP

Doug MacLeod is a unique, powerful guitarist with a rich and soulful voice, singing original songs based on his own life and experiences.

His new album EXACTLY LIKE THIS is his third release with Reference Recordings. This is ‘Genuine Original Acoustic Music’ at its very best, in a richly detailed recording by Grammy-winning engineer Keith Johnson, made at Skywalker Sound in Marin County, CA.

In live performance, Doug MacLeod assures his audience “This song is going to go exactly like this.” It’s presented just for them, not a repeat of any performance he’s ever given or will ever give. He records the same way, each of his original songs are offered with a fresh voice. EXACTLY LIKE THIS contains eleven new MacLeod originals reflecting and paying tribute to some of his diverse musical influences: Louis Jordan, Wes Montgomery, Jerry Reed, Tony Joe White, John Lee Hooker, and even a little Duke Ellington. In his previous 19 studio albums, several live records, compilations, a blues guitar instructional DVD and a live performance DVD, MacLeod has consistently earned raves. His songs have been covered by many artists including Albert King, Albert Collins, Joe Louis Walker and Eva Cassidy. He has co-written songs with Dave Alvin and Coco Montoya. MacLeod’s songs have been featured in many TV movies and the hit show In the Heat of the Night. Two of his songs are on Grammy nominated albums by Albert King and Albert Collins.

Doug MacLeod isn’t just a blues guy, he’s a singer/songwriter/storyteller and serious guitarist. He is one of the few modern artists doing all original material and traveling the country like a troubadour. Just Doug, headed down the road in his Honda, baseball on the radio, Siri by his side and a trunk full of music!

2014 Blues Music Awards Best Acoustic Artist (again nominated for 2015) and Best Acoustic Album.
Bestowed by The Blues Foundation in Memphis, TN, the world’s most prestigious roots music awards.

Blues Blast Magazine’s 2013 Male Blues Artist of the Year

On This Recording

Rock It Till the Cows Come Home
Too Many Misses For Me
Find Your Right Mind
Ain’t It Rough?
Vanetta
Serious Doin’ Woman
Ridge Runner
New Morning Road
Raylene
Heaven’s the Only Place
You Got It Good (and That Ain’t Bad)
All songs written by Doug MacLeod and published by Gaslight Square Music, administered by Little Brother Music

Reviews:

“…he is the most captivating of musical entertainers with a seemingly endless river of rabbits he can pull out of any number of hats. Killer stuff that just doesn’t quit and recorded with a sound like he’s playing right in front of you, just for you. Check it out.” —Chris Spector, Midwest Record

“Comfort food for your soul.” —Dr. Bob, KPOV, Bend, OR

“Exactly Like This is a genuine, storytelling, acoustic blues album and an audiophile recording, and one that I use in a demonstration, along with his previous Reference Recordings album, ‘There’s A Time’.” —Paul Janove, Graham’s Hi-Fi London

“His best songs are slices of life that leave you wanting the rest of the pie. Sometimes laconic but never lazy, Doug MacLeod is a class act story teller. … every cut on this album is truly a MacLeod original. Like all great blues men, MacLeod lives his music, and the songs are not just on the tips of his fingers and tongue, they are one with his being.” —Don Wilcock, Blues Music Magazine

“Three things make this Reference Recordings album worthy of a spot in one’s reference collection: 1) Doug MacLeod plays pure blues, with no other styles mixed in; 2) he employs superb songwriting skills; and 3) there are zero covers out of eleven tunes. … this is blues with a capital B. If crowds don’t dance, they need ants in their pants. Superior traditional acoustic blues sounds Exactly Like This!” —Rainey Wetnight, Blues Blast Magazine

“In May, 2014, he was awarded not one but two Blues Music Awards in the categories of Acoustic Artist of the Year (after being nominated for this award for the past six years) and Acoustic Album of the Year for There’s A Time on Reference Records. His current Reference Record, Exactly Like This, should add BMA 2016 nomination. … His insightful lyrics, unique voice, steady beat, and delicious resonator guitar sounds may entice you to join the ever-increasing ranks of Dubb Heads.” —Blues Music Magazine

“Doug MacLeod sets up camp in a rare niche of storytelling bluesman that are attuned to the textures and rhythms of life. On this excursion, the wry Californian’s distinctive singing voice and straight-talking guitar comment on a “rough-and-tumble” woman, staying true to oneself, the road back home, the splendor of the Blue Ridge Mountains and more. Subtle and firm support is supplied by seasoned pros Mike Thompson on piano, Denny Croy on bass and Jimi Botti on drums.” —Frank John Hadley, Downbeat

“The album incorporates many influences and the result is Exactly Like This; this his third album is full of music driven shapes and textures creating a sound that is full of key changes, beats and tempos that keeps your musical ear appreciatively engaged. Bluesdoodles gives this CD NINE doodle paws out of TEN.” —Bluesdoodles

“Every instrument is perfectly balanced in the mix. … The disc’s eclecticism, expert playing, ensemble synergy and sound make this a recommended pick.” —Stephen A. King, Living Blues

“…Doug is a storyteller par excellence, a weaver of tales, a singer who tells you a tale and makes it so that you are there in the moment, that you understand, and that you feel exactly what he intends… It’s hard to imagine any of these songs getting any better, each is as near to perfect in execution as I could ask, enough roughness to be human, but the only way you’ll hear them this way is to get the album.” —Ian McHugh/Tonemonkey & Blues is the Truth Radio

“…one of the very best acoustic blues exponents in the world…..strongly recommended.” —Lionel Ross/Blues In The Northwest

“… easily one of the most accomplished and admired acoustic bluesmen of his generation…, this is an album that showcases MacLeod’s captivating, talented artistry to the full.” —Iain Patience, Cashbox Canada

“The eleven songs are obviously written by Macleod himself and form, as befits a good songwriter, small stories in a musical coat. Even after so many albums, the man continues to fascinate us with his storytelling. Great.” —Eric Campfens/Blueszine.NL

“MacLeod has already received an Acoustic Artist of The Year nomination for the 2015 Blues Music Awards to be held this coming May in Memphis. This new album almost guarantees him two more nominations in 2016. This new recording is highly recommended listening.” —Richard Ludmerer, Making A Scene

“With all of these high and low tales, it’s a wonder where Macleod’s brilliant narratives and craft will take him next. For sure, we’ll be listening.” —Nelson Brill, Boston Concert Reviews

“The recording was done live without headphones, over-dubs, pitch, or tempo adjustments. The liner notes are incisive and reveal Macleod’s thoughts on why he recorded this particular album this way. There is even an explanation about the squeaks from the stool. Blues lovers (and just plain music lovers) will be pleased with this effort!” —Robbie Gerson, Audiophile Audition

“It is lovely stuff and strongly recommended.” —Lionel Ross, Blues In The Northwest 200