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Title: A truly stunning acoustic recording
Review: If there was a better piece of music released in 1998 I certainly haven't been able to locate it. _Dirt Floor_ in many ways defines what a truly "acoustic" recording should be. One musician, a few guitars, a foot stomp keeping the beat, and some recording equipment all piled into an old barn. It's sparse, soulful, and eerily compelling--the interplay between Whitley's impressively understated guitar work and the gentle yet gravel-like tone of his voice gives this CD a very earthy, geniune feel. The production of the CD would for practically any other recording be considered to be absolutely awful, but the low-fi and sparse sound makes _Dirt Floor_ even more compelling and powerful. In a musical age dominated by electronica, pre-processed pop stars, and nigh-symphonic overproduction, it's refreshing to find a musician who cares nothing for glitz, glamour, or polish, and instead just wants to create great music.
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