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Review by Bill Binkelman Roy Scoutz is a talented acoustic guitar player and multi-instrumentalist whom I first reviewed a few years ago (Autumn's Whisper). Recently, he sent me two newer recordings and this is the first one I'm reviewing. My Father's Garden lands somewhere on the spectrum between smooth jazz and new age, comparable (to some degree) to Jamie Bonk, although Scoutz's music rocks a little less and sways a little more. My Father's Garden features him on acoustic guitar, lap steel guitar and percussion (per his website). There are backing keyboards on some tracks as well (tastefully applied), as well as some indistinct vocals on one track. There are also sparse nature sounds here and there too (such as falling rain at the start of "Bamboo Moons"). Scoutz's demonstrates impressive talent on his assorted instruments. His lap steel playing adds an unusual dimension to some songs, although it may take a little getting used to since the instrument's normal connotation is to country and western music. The juxtaposition on, e.g., "Bamboo Moons" where the lap steel is counter-pointed by Asian music textures, is unexpected and daring. Most of the selections on My Father's Garden are mellow and laid-back affairs, although tempos can vary. "Back Home Again" (opening with pealing pedal steel and plaintive acoustic picking set against a bubbling brook) eventually picks up steam and asserts itself with a friendly but steady midtempo cadence to the rhythm and lead guitars. "Prayer for the World" is more of a smooth jazz tune with its sultry yet gentle rhythms and soft sense of rolling (imagine Earl Klugh without any funk). Without any horns in the mix, this kind of jazz has a stronger rural feel to it, lacking (as intended) an urban sensibility. "The Rainmaker" (opening with a rainstorm, of course) offers a charmingly soft intro passage and then unfolds into a mildly dramatic song, with some jazzy runs on digital piano, thumping bass, and catchy percussion. "Chautauqua Sunset" is, as you'd imagine, a soft number, this time with flute performing in a duet with some graceful acoustic guitar and piano adding subtle embellishments here and there. "Morning Trail" is one of the sprightlier tracks on the CD, and it starts out that way rather than building. Lively trap kit rhythms, mildly funky rhythm guitar and some solid lead picking bring comparisons to Bruce BecVar to my mind or the earlier mentioned Jamie Bonk. Jazzier electrified soloing later in the cut lends a "sunny day" atmosphere to the tune. The only criticism I would make of this fine album is song length. The mean average for a track is six minutes and, for this genre, that's a tad too long for me. Some of these songs, as pleasant and enjoyable as they are, seem to stretch on past their optimal point. This is not a major complaint, and if you're playing this as background music during activity or while driving, I suspect it won't be an issue. However, it bears mentioning if you are (as I am) sitting and listening to it intently. Just the same, for easygoing music that lands somewhere between "kick up your heels" and "kick back and relax," My Father's Garden hits way more than it misses. Smooth jazz fans who don't need the oomph of heavy bass or the wail of a saxophone or trumpet, as well as lovers of upbeat acoustic guitar new age music (this is not Peter Janson or Will Ackerman territory, but more like Bradley Powell, a.k.a. The Candlelight Guitarist or Lynn Patrick) should have an entertaining time with this release. Recommended. |
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