The Flying Salvias – Amerikinda
This duo of Henry & Kathleen Salvia has an outstanding resume of performances. Henry has played top 40, music hall, rock (with Huey Lewis & the News), country, blues, fusion, New Orleans (with Johnny Adams), jazz (with Ricki Lee Jones) & rock with Metallica.
Kathleen’s played in country bands, girl groups, new wave & top 40. She opened for Ronnie Montrose with her metal band & in a rock & soul revue. She performed with Lyle Lovett & Linda Ronstadt. Both played in bars with few people & festivals with thousands.
Henry & Kathleen provide 11 interesting Americana-based pieces on Amerikinda (Drops Sept 21/Polywana/48:22). Songs cleverly seasoned with folk/country/rock with pinches of waltz & samba, Texas shuffle & some soulful color. Quite a diversified. The songs aren’t overwhelming odes but with “This Time,” the song is sung pensively like the late Sandy Denny (of Fairport Convention). The Flying Salvias injects a generous amount of rock guitar into the tune like a spoonful of sugar.
Kathleen lays down silky vocals on “She Don’t Worry,” in a Christine Collister (who sang with Clive Gregson – “Blessing In Disguise”) tradition. She can get smoky (“The Embarcadero”) like Susan Osborn on “Lay Down Your Burden” (from the Paul Winter Consort album “Common Ground”). Then, pulling away from the folky grain they rock out with Henry on “Psychotic Illusions.” The song is filled with energetic piano & fiery guitar excellently arranged & performed. They live up to their resume.
The only possible blemish is the varied musical styles (there may be too many for some listeners). The variations do lend positively to The Salvia’s distinctive showcase, yet this is something that can alienate an audience. I find it interesting & entertaining. The duo does it well. But some listeners are locked into genres & exactly why Garth Brooks released a rockier LP with the moniker Chris Gaines. He didn’t believe his country audience would “buy” his new music. They didn’t.
However, the Euro-rich chanson of “The Dance,” has an early morning rainy streets of Paris feel. Henry’s accordion provides a vintage touch that even borders on Brecht-Weill in spots. Classy — Edith Piaf would’ve covered this.
From Parisian streets to a “Dairy Queen & Beer” — an upbeat rootsy tune John Prine would’ve liked. And yet, another “Hold On,” titled song — but this is closer to a 60s-oriented drama that Phil Spector would’ve dallied up even more. Good ballad for a soul singer.
Highlights – “This Time,” “She Don’t Worry,” “The Embarcadero,” “Psychotic Illusions,” “The Dance,” “Dairy Queen & Beer” & “Hold On.”
Musicians – Henry (accordion/organ/piano/vocals), Kathleen (vocals/acoustic guitar), David Phillips (pedal steel/dobro), Sean Allen, Mark Karan, Glenn Pomianek (electric guitar), Alex Baum, David Golia, Chris Kee (bass), Ken Owen (drums), Kent Bryson (drums on “Hold On”), Travis Jones (vocals/acoustic guitar on “All I Can Do”), Loralee Christiansen & Keta Bill (vocal angels).
Color image courtesy of Dianne Woods. CD @ https://flyingsalvias.com/home
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Grooves & Cuts – August 2024 #3