Anthony D’Amato (from At First There Was Nothing

Anthony D’Amato (from At First There Was Nothing

Anthony D’Amato (from At First There Was Nothing available on Blue Rose Music) (by Lee Zimmerman)

One thing is certain. Anthony D’Amato is a singular songwriter. With several highly acclaimed offerings to his credit — not to mention his membership in the supergroup of sorts, Fantastic Cat, —he’s proven his prowess by expressing empathy and emotion with intelligence and ability, shifting the scenario whenever a particularly suitable scenario is called for.
 
At First There Was Nothing continues that trajectory but it also finds D’Amato shifting his stance repeatedly along the way. Aside from some sudden changes in tone and tempo — opening track “Long Haul” shares a Gospel-like fervor that leads into the decidedly sedate set-up of “Ships in the Night”, which, in turn, gives way to the persistent pacing of “Kinda Strange” — the album also finds the one-time resident of New York City setting his sights on the vast expanse of the American West, specifically a small town in Utah, where he set about recording throughout the autumn and winter alongside the equally acclaimed songwriter and producer Joshua James. The results are uniformly impressive, given that they provide the impetus for the craft and creativity that was likely needed after an absence of six years.
 
That said, At First There Was Nothing is as unaffected as its title suggests. The sedate sounds of “Enough”, “But I Go”, and “Broken Tooth Smile” offer a rumination on contemplation and contentment without the need for any further elaboration. Indeed, songs such as “Everything Does”, “Breaking Slow”, “Trying to Change”, and “The Oyster and the Pearl” exude an unassuming attitude, a sound that’s joyful and content, flush with an easy, uncomplicated delivery that draws the listener in and asks no more than simply to enjoy the experience. While Anthony D’Amato is clearly adept at communicating his heartfelt feelings, he does so without burdening his audience with any extraneous additives, other than simply sharing a tuneful melody and an agreeable approach that resonates entirely on its own.


That alone makes At First There Was Nothing a substantial effort indeed. And a wonderful album indeed. (By Lee Zimmerman)
 
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