by Ann Wickstrom
This one topped the list of Billboard Top Ten blues albums for four months shortly after its release. It's hard to say that it belonged there, not because it isn't a fine record, but because it's more rock than blues. Circle was produced by Texas singer/songwriter Doyle Bramhall, who is perhaps best known for his work with Stevie Ray Vaughan. It's a solid release, but don't expect anything fancy. In fact, many of the songs on Circle tend to sound very similar -- and it doesn't help that some segue into the next one seamlessly, which only serves to accentuate their sameness and add to the predictability. Mato Nanji is a flawless guitar player, but his prowess here is slightly dampened by the acoustic guitar that lies a layer beneath some of the songs, resulting in less punch. His voice, however, is magnificent: full and haunting, not unlike that of Hootie & the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker.