Off the freeway and onto the back roads.
Singer/songwriter Matt Andersen teams up with a core of Steve Dawson/g-org, Mike Farrington/b, Jay Bellerose/dr, Chris Gestrin/key and a collection of guests in voice and horns for a rich and soulful outing. His voice has a hint of gospel a la Pops Staples, funky on “What Would Your Mama Saw” and Sunday Mornin’ comfy for “Give ME Some Light.” The horns add a STAX pulse to “Help Yourself” and “Gasoline” with a rural road traveled for “Free Man” and a trip to the VFW on “Over Me.” A rich walk in the Cumberland Gap.
Taylor Scott is a bit of a troubadour on this album where he sings and plays guitar while accompanied by Jon Wirtz/key, Chris Harris-Ben Rubin/b, Lem Williams/dr and a rotating team of guests. There’s a lot of Nashville skyline on pieces like the rocking “Somebody Told Me” and “Salted Watermelon” and a dash of 70s rock for “Carry Me Away.” Harris’ bass gives a funky line along with Henry Garza’s guitar on “Hair of Indigo” with the team giving a stark mood on the spacious “The Walk.” A mix of soul, south and sorrow.