The Oregonian

A&E

October 17, 2003

"Bittersweet": That's the name of Dylan-Thomas Vance's new CD, a disc that reflects his continuing development as a slide guitarist. For some players, slide guitar is a way to escape the strictures of frets and fingers - a nice bit of sonic spice. But for Vance, it's the whole banquet, and it was the missing element of his gritty country-blues/Americana sound. He capitalizes on the vocal qualities of the style, to the point that he's honed his guitar style and his resonant baritone to where the two are different inflections applied to the same phrases. Vance celebrates the release of "Bittersweet" with a party that includes musical friends such as David Lipkind and others. 9pm Saturday, McMenamins White Eagle, 836 N. Russell St.: $5. Also 6pm Friday, McMenamins Grand Lodge, Forest Grove; no cover charge.