Readers here on WeLove-Music can argue if this album fits within the World-Music genre, albeit Seattle Washington, USA still has a spot on the world map, even if culturally homogenized. However this acoustic album has given me a zillion plays and may also entertain you with a few. If not, rest well knowing that this will probably be my only posting of this type. Here's excepts from reviewer George Graham: "... Hanuman's new third CD Pedalhorse is a fascinating blend of influences: New Acoustic, blues, world music, art rock, funk, Southern Rock, and even a bit of Celtic, played almost entirely on acoustic instruments, though with a rhythmic drive that gives it the energy level of electric music for much of the time. The result is great listening marked by tasteful musicianship and innovative stylistic and instrumental mixtures.
Pushkar features Scott Law's mandolin prominently, in a rhythmically challenging piece with a distinctly Eastern aura.
Taking a very different direction is the bluesy title track Pedalhorse, with Benoit featured on slide guitar and Dobro.
Taking another yet musical direction is Hop Queen, which strikes me has having a kind of tropical island feel.
One of the Pedalhorse's definite highlights is Baba Blues, which is imbued with both blues influence and a vaguely exotic quality, thanks to Kaplan's percussion.
Perhaps the album's most impressive musical showpiece is Savannah, boasting a multi-faceted structure like an art rock piece, including a jazzy waltz section and dual lead guitar lines reminiscent of an acoustic Allman Brothers.
And further to make things interesting, there is the vague Celtic influence of Mothership, which features bassist DeCoster playing his bass with a bow.
The CD goes out with its spaciest track, Meera's Camel. It's another interesting amalgam of influences, including the bluesy resonator guitar, a mandolin that sounds more Eastern European than rooted in bluegrass, a pump organ and percussion evoking the Middle East. Sonically, the album is first-rate. The acoustic instruments are well-recorded, with a rich, clean, unfettered quality, with the sound of the acoustic bass being especially pleasing. The CD also has a very commendable dynamic range, increasingly a rarity in these days of heavily-compressed in-your-face commercial hits. ..."
Given all that, I hope you enjoy lossless
EAC-FLAC downloads. Hats off to those who make the effort to post lossless:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
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