American Gypsy

Versatile crocodile

     

Mark Sylvester's first solo album dips into a lot of pudding jars, and thus its classification here as "Classical" is enitrely misleading. The album is a stunning mix of styles and types of composition, including acoustic rock, folk, world (whatever that means), classical, and styles which until now had only existed in some higher Platonic realm. Each carefully composed original tune has a different flavor, from the hum-strumming goodness of "Caravan" and "How We Go On" to the hilarious romp of "Dance of the Misfits." "American Gypsy," in three parts, is a contempletive epic that manages to weave ever-more complex themes together, laying out a life in song. "Night" is one of the most stunningly beautiful compositions I've ever heard, the melody like rain sliding down a window. It's also great to see Sylvester's compositional skills branch out with "Sarabande," a haunting classical piece, and "Alchemy," which sounds like an Egyptian oud composition. He's a more melodic Leo Kottke, a more hammy Hamza El Din, a less pretentious Steve Howe, a more soupy Soupy Sales. Overall an acoustic journey with a depth and variety rarely heard. Check out his work with Tree Surgeons, too...