blers) join drummer Doug Belote to help cre- ate the ominous atmosphere the song resides in. Tightly woven prose and a beautiful hyp- notic rhythm keep “The Moon & the Scare- crow” gingerly afloat as it softly builds to its climatic peak. The album is book-ended by a pair of
Pink Floyd-esque instrumentals, “Partial to the Bitters” and “Partial to the Bitters Pt. 2”. The later, a bit more infused with twang, sounds just as brilliant, nonetheless. Farmer’s Almanac receives my highest possi- ble recommendation. It’s that great.
-Phillip Smith (
www.phillycheezeblues.blogspot.com)
Geoff Atkinson Sovereign Town (Landslide) Australian singer/songwriter/guitarist
Geoff Atkinson consistently releases great al- bums, and his new one is no exception. The concept album was inspired by Australia’s gold rush of 1850 in the state of Victoria. Adding authenticity to the project, Geoff recorded the album in the mining town of Ballarat, Victoria. The acoustic collection is like a rock
opera - or better yet, an Americana opera. The songs speak of leaving home to seek for- tune and love and looks at the downside of digging for gold. Eleven of the tracks were written by
Geoff, with a single cover, Ben Harper’s “Walk Away.” The lyrics are literary and fasci- nating, set against beautiful melodies and sparse instrumentation. Taking a cue from Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen, Atkinson delivers his most moody and personal album to date. Totally original, intelligent songwrit- ing.
Atkinson may be a new name to some,
but he is far from being a “new artist.” His guitar work was cited by Guitar Playermaga- zine who named him one of the “Top Ten
-Michael Buffalo Smith
Folk Soul Revival Self Titled (Folk Soul Revival) This self-titled release is actually the fourth album from Folk Soul Revival, but it was my first exposure to
their music and I must say, I liked it- a lot. This record gave me the same feeling I experi- enced years ago when I heard Jason and the Scorchers for the first time, or that time when Dwight Yoakam released Hillbilly Deluxe. It’s a brilliant blend of country, old time and rock and roll that just makes me smile. Folk Soul Revival are true originals,
having shared stages with the likes of Dr. Ralph Stanley, Old Crow Medicine Show, Jason Isbell, Eric Church and others, and the songs are all very good. The harmonies and slow country sound of “Dance with Me” stand in start contrast with the cow punk of “Other Side,” and outlaw country of “Buck Up” and pure Americana of “Horrible Girl,” but all twelve tracks are great, including the final cut, an apt cover of Lowell George’s “Willin.” Excellent.
Hottest New Guitarists,” as well as being listed among the “100 Guitarists You Should Know.” For 18 years he has been an instructor at Jorma Kaukonen’s Fur Peace Ranch. In the recent past, Geoff has appeared onstage with such diverse artists as the Allman Brothers, George Porter, Jr., Hot Tuna, the Wood Brothers, Randall Bramblett, Col. Bruce Hampton, John Mayer, Delbert McClinton and many others. Sovereign Town is Atkinson at his best
and most intelligent. Simply a work of art. -Michael Buffalo Smith
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