ETTORE SALATI

This month's Artist in Spotlight is Ettore Salati from Italy. Ettore is a sought after session guitarist by many prog musicians not just in Italy but all around the world. He started playing piano at a very young age (mostly classical music) but when he became a teenager and discovered the world of Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Genesis and 70's rock in general, he was immediately fascinated by guitar... more

KAT EPPLE (Emerald Web)

KAT EPPLE, flautist and composer, is our interview guest this month. She has won 8 Emmy awards, was nominated for a Grammy and she has released 18 albums internationally. Most of you know her as the other half of the legendary ambient/new age duo EMERALD WEB. She has a very large collection (over 200) of flutes that she gathered from all around the world during her travels. Kat composes original New Age/Jazz/World/orchestral music and has produced film scores and television soundtracks for National Geographic, Nova, CNN, Carl Sagan, Another World, The Travel Channel, Turner Broadcasting System, History Channel, HGN, The Guiding Light, PBS, and NASA among others, and was Music Director for the feature-length film, Captiva Island. She also owns a record company and works on both sides of the music industry as a musician and as a business woman... more

New Grass Revival / On The Boulevard

New Grass Revival are one of the pioneers of progressive bluegrass. Formed in 1971 by Sam Bush (mandolin/vocals), Curtis Burch (guitar), Ebo Walker (bass) and Courtney Johnson (banjo), they immediately got the attention from the industry both in a good and bad way. First of all, they were often told that their music was not bluegrass, and they knew it wasn’t “bluegrass” in its traditional sense, and it wasn’t what they were trying to achieve anyways. They were blending rock, soul and blues rhythms with the traditional bluegrass music. They were not wearing suites, but instead they had a more casual style along with long hair... more

PAT FLYNN / reVision

Pat Flynn, the former New Grass Revival singer/songwriter, released his second solo album titled “reVision” in March 2007. Like his first solo album “reQuest”, it is not possible to put this album in any category. He is traveling through folk, country and blues, bringing old and new sounds together in a professional way. The first thing to notice on this album is Flynn’s vocals. He sounds bluesier than ever. The second thing is the diversity of instruments used: percussions, dobro, harmonica, accordion, concertina, flute and whistles along with the primary instruments of bluegrass. The difference in genres becomes very clear in songs like “Better Let It Go Now” that brings back memories from the 50’s rock and roll with a touch of swing; “National Defense Blues” that takes you to the 60’s blues era with harmonicas; “Father Time”, a nice slow folk song written by Flynn and Tim May that catches you with the harmonies and “King of Babylon”, again written by Tim May, a Gospel tune with amazing harmony vocals.

However, there are more treats on this album for the listener. Flynn, who is a big Bob Dylan fan, covers two of his songs. The opening song is “All Along The Watchtower” on which his old band mate John Cowan joins him on bass guitar. There are also two other names here whose styles are very distinctive: Luke Bulla on fiddle and Noam Pikelny on banjo. You will recognize these two musicians formerly from The John Cowan Band. Flynn’s vocals especially are a real treat to the ear. Having these progressive bluegrass legends come in for their parts really liven it up. The song starts slow with Bulla’s fiddle and Pat’s guitar, and then takes off with Pikelny’s banjo. The second Dylan cover is “Highway 61”.

“Wayfaring Stranger” is another song that will hit the listeners with the harmony vocals and different instruments. This song was performed over the years by many musicians; however, Flynn’s approach to it is a little different. It will take you from folk to ambient in just seconds and end up Celtic with the flutes, whistles and percussions.

Every New Grass Revival fan will without a doubt recognize “This Heart of Mine” written by Steven F. Brines and Jim Smoak, because it was performed by the band on their “Fly Through The Country” album. John Cowan’s harmony vocals will surely take the fans back to those days. The addition of Luke Bulla on fiddle and Noam Pikelny on banjo creates the perfect combination on the album. Flynn kindly dedicates the song to the New Grass Revival past and present.

If you think Flynn will stop experimenting with different genres on just one album, you are in for a nice surprise. Because, one of the most interesting tunes on this CD is “I Want To Know”. It stands alone genre wise, with the feel of Latin Pop-Jazz, another song written by Flynn on which he plays not just guitar but mandolin as well. You just have to listen carefully to hear it in the background. Another remarkable instrument used here is concertina, especially on the second part.

A tribute to late Steve Goodman who passed away from leukemia in 1984 comes with the 9th song “Looking for Trouble”, originally written by Goodman as a folk/blues tune but became even bluesier with Pat Flynn’s interpretation; kind of like the late 60’s and 70’s blues. Flynn’s singing fits perfectly with the lyrics: a man who’s seen it all. Especially pay attention to the part where he says: “your throat gets dry”.

Overall, this is a great album coming from one of the pioneers of the progressive bluegrass music. It blends contemporary and traditional sounds as well as different genres and instruments. Flynn’s vocals and the outstanding harmonies from 9 different musicians are very moving. His interpretations of the covers and new takes on his old songs should not be missed. You will not even feel like skipping a single song while listening to this CD. From beginning to end, everything is done professionally. Pat Flynn wrote great songs during his days with the New Grass Revival, and in his solo career today he shows us he still has a lot more to offer. Definitely can’t wait to hear the next album of this trilogy.

Hande BURDG