New York On Six Strings A Day       Reviews, Review, Reviews!


from The Southern Vermont Review September 23 October 6, 1998 Pg. 29

Andy Polon, New York On 6 Strings A Day, (1997, ADP 202)
I had to email Andy to double check that when he makes it sound like three guitars playing, it is really just him playing three parts at once. He responded "Yes. Just one guitar and me. Usually my (1958) Gibson J-185, which I've played for 20 years...on a few cuts I used a Martin D-18." He said he "wanted to make an album that told a club owner or festival promoter what they were getting. Hence, no other musicians. But I do play lots of gigs as a sideman, as well as fronting a small group with sidemen."

This is pure folk blues in the acoustic tradition, highlighted by Polon's excellent guitar picking Pallet On Your Floor, Waterfall), song writing ;(Just Because of You, Indian Summer), and humor (Parisian Rag) or all three and more (Home Grown Lovin'--a Mose Allison tribute). The jazzy New St. James Infirmary is particularly hot.

A great recording to relax to, perhaps around supper time or weekend morning. 14 tracks, 59 minutes.
www.nymall.com/polon, apolon@erols.com. Reviewed by Paul Doyle (pcdnv@vermontel.com).


from Sing Out! Vol. 42 # 4 © 1998 by Sing Out!

Andy Polon New York On 6 Strings A Day ADP 202 New York City has a long tradition of outstanding fingerstyle guitar players, and Andy Polon is one of the heirs of a direct lineage that includes Lead Belly, the Rev. Gary Davis (from whom a young Polon took guitar lessons), Dave Van Ronk and Stefan Grossman. With this work, Polon pays tribute to his predecessors, with genetically altered covers of such familiar pieces as "Pallet On Your Floor," "New St. James Infirmary," and a tribute to Van Ronk comprising "Good Old Wagon," "Careless Love," and "Come Back Baby."
Although Polon brings formidable technique and a rakish enthusiasm to these covers, he shines most brightly on his original material like the lush "Waterfall" (which features an appropriate cascade of single notes underpinning his dreamlike vocal), and the convoluted-but-melodic "Andy's Augmented Rag."---MP


Dirty Linen
the magazine of folk and world music Issue #78 Oct/Nov '98 pg. 87

Andy Polon New York on 6 Strings a Day [Polon ADP 202 (1998)]
Andy Polon is a New York fingerpicking style guitarist whose playing recalls some of the ragtime and blues players of the 60s. Whether it's covering an old blues tune like "New St. James Infirmary" (given his own twist), paying tribute to Dave Van Ronk (with a three-song medley), or playing one of his own blues/ragtime inspired songs, Polon's easygoing approach (slightly tongue-in-cheek at times) is perfectly suited to the music...his voice works perfectly in the context of the songs. (Jle)


Victory Music Review September 1998
...he does well...His voice is actually more along the line of Jim Croce. Polon's guitar work is clean and crisp with just enough string snapping...all in all, a good presentation (Lars Gandil).


Blues Access * Spring '99 (#37) * Page 95
Big Apple-based Polon is a sideman, teacher, and practitioner of old-style acoustic blues. If you like Dave Van Ronk...you'll find something here to like.


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