Reviews for "Tomcat Courtney--Downsville Blues":
"If this album isn't nominated for a Blues Music Award there ain't no justice in the world. It's definitely destined to be one of the best Blues albums of the year: urbanized Texas Country Blues at its finest!"
Steve Daniels -- BluesWax -- July 17, 2008
"Even at 78, Courtney’s voice is powerful, dynamic, and soaked with blues feeling . . . . Mark it down as one of the year’s essential purchases."
Jim DeKoster -- Living Blues (Issue #196, Vol. 39 #3)
"chock full of unpretentious, gimmick-free, real deal blues. . . . Courtney definitely has the goods, and Downsville Blues will stand out as one of the most honest blues recordings of 2008."
Roger Gatchet -- Austin Sound Submission -- June 2008
Tomcat Courtney "has this virtually feral cry in his voice, an echo of the field hollers that were part of blues' origins, something that's damn rare in contemporary my-baby-done-left-me merchants. . . . Downsville Blues will likely be one of the best blues discs of '08."
Mark Keresman -- Phoenix New Times -- May 2008
"This is blues with a feeling. This is not chord shredding, gonzo-harping, dueling guitar, head-cutting, one-step from rock-and-roll stuff. This is pure, real, unadulterated, bump-and-grind jook joint material."
David N. Pyles -- Folk And Acoustic Music Exchange -- August 2008
Tomcat Courtney "is one of those good old-fashioned bluesmen whose style takes you back to the real thing . . . This is an excellent album (and) . . . Blue Witch is to be commended for releasing albums like this. It's music that we would most likely never hear otherwise."
Jim White -- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette -- May 2008
Tomcat Courtney is "one exceptionally engaging performer who commands your attention throughout this invigorating and thoroughly satisfying CD. . . . There isn’t a bad track here." Rob Lehrian -- Supporting The Blues -- June 2008
"Tomcat Courtney "is a very fine tunesmith and a superb singer...If this is an example of the quality of the product coming from the Blue Witch stable then I eagerly await their next release. I vote ten out of ten for this one!"
Phil Wight -- Rhythm & Blues Magazine - May 2008
" a CD from a genuine, down-to-earth bluesman who's literally lived every note he's played...Tomcat's gritty delivery gives this one a definite, "back-porch pickin' feel."
Sheryl and Don Crow-- musiccityblues.org -- May 2008
"Blending Delta, Chicago and Texas guitar stylings with the laconic, undaunted voice of experience, Tomcat Courtney makes an impression, and then makes it stick. Downsville Blues wears well."
David McGee -- bluegrassspecial.com -- May 2008
"Blue Witch has done it again with another cracking release "Tomcat Courtney-Downsville Blues" that obviously comes highly recommended...Rating 10"
Mick Rainsford -- Blues in Britain -- May 2008
"One listen to Tomcat Courtney and it's clear this guy ain't faking it. His powerful, honeyed voice aches with every rotten thing ever done to him, while his jagged guitar weeps with the knowing grit of experience." And while the raw appeal and unvarnished soul captured on Downsville Blues makes you wish he hadn’t waited so long to release an album, it’s a debut worth waiting for.
Paul Saitowitz -- San Diego City Beat -- May 2008
" a truthful, down-home flavor that is 'back in the day'”
Gary Miller -- bluessource.com -- July 2008
"Tomcat Courtney, Downsville Blues (Blue Witch Records). Simple and powerful country blues that are not stuck in the past."
Nick Delay-Blues Director --WVKR-fm, Poughkeepsie NY
"All of the songs are first-rate...Courtney has a first-class voice and is a fine guitarist." Downsville Blues..."is a "must have" album for lovers of Texas country blues. . . . Highest Recommendation."
Jim Shortt -- SCENE Magazine -- May 2008
"Song after song on "Downsville Blues" rings true with Texas and Delta blues."
Roderick Harrington -- El Dorado Times, Arkansas - April 2008
