John Leventhal – Rumble Strip
Mostly, but not all, instrumental, this album by John Leventhal is thoughtful grooves, complex acoustic guitar, and it is eminently listenable. It was produced, performed, recorded and mixed by John Leventhal at Studio 22 in New York, with engineering assistance by Mark Cordell. John’s production resume includes producing albums by Blind Boys of Alabama, Rodney Crowell, Shawn Colvin and more. This album was mastered by Gavin Lurrsen with”Three Chord Monte” recorded by Jim Price.
“That’s All I Know About Arkansas” is one of the two songs featuring Leventhal’s spouse Rosanne Cash with John on harmonizing vocals and the effect is quite riveting. It starts off with layers of sharp complexity and a catchy groovy rhythm before the vocals spring into audible focus. “She took that dress and the shoes she wore, that’s all I know about Arkansas … she’s headed into another life.”
“Meteor” hosts Rick Depofi on horns and a bluesy swaggery rhythm as this instrumental song sashays along at times sounding akin to “New Speedway Boogie-esque” Grateful Dead era, although the sound production is far more clean and crisp.
“If You Only Knew” again hosts Rosanne Cash in call and response vocals back and forth with John, “no one will notice if I slip out the back…. If you only knew how the stars hang by dust…. you’re gonna love me if you only knew.”
On “Three Chord Monte” we are again treated to horns, this time by Donald Sorah.
“The Only Ghost” is another song with vocals, this time with John solo: “I should have been long gone by now … am I the only ghost around here?”
Thoughtful, easygoing and hushed, this album packs a lot of complexity and rhythm into each song. The songs are bluesy and folksy styles produced with syncopated rhythms and lots of melody. Let your mind wander.
Find more details and information on the new website for the label RumbleStrip Records, here: https://www.rumblestriprecords.net/
