Jeff Healey
's debut album
See the Light
may be similar to
Stevie Ray Vaughan
's high-octane blues-rock, but in blues and blues-rock, it's often the little things that count, such as guitar styles, and there's no denying that
Healey
has a distinctive style.
plays his Stratocaster flat on his lap, allowing him to perform unusual long stretches that give his otherwise fairly predictable music real heart and unpredictability. Throughout the album, his guitar work keeps things interesting, even on slow ballads like
"Angel Eyes"
(one of two
John Hiatt
songs, by the way, along with the ripping "Confidence Man"). That's what keeps
interesting, and it's what makes it an intriguing, promising debut. Unfortunately,
has never quite fulfilled that promise, but it's still exciting to hear the first flowerings of his talent. ~ Thom Owens