A Songwriting Journalist

Here's some background on the songs and musicians:

A VERY FINE LINE, a song about life’s close calls, features album co-producer Joe Johnson, who’s much more than a mix master, on electric guitar (the whimsical slide licks were recorded on George Harrison’s birthday). Joel Diamond plays keyboards, Al Hemberger bass and Eric Starr drums. Harmonies are by Motherlode Trio – Stacy Labriola, Patti Pelican and Terry Textor Platz. Revkin plays guitar.

ARLINGTON, a sweeping ballad about the fabled past and uncertain future of the national cemetery, features Dar Williams as guest vocalist, Ben Neill on trumpet and Motherlode Trio on harmonies. Also playing are Art Labriola on piano and organ, Mark Murphy on upright bass, Jerry Krenach on drums and Peter Rundquist on guitar. Revkin playy guitar and banjo.

BLAME IT ON BIOLOGY became something of a tribute to Herb Alpert after Ben Neill started experimenting with some fun trumpet lines. Also playing: Joel Diamond on keyboards, Joe Johnson guitar, Eric Starr on drums, Mark Murphy on upright bass. Motherlode Trio and Al Hemberger sing harmonies. Revkin plays guitar.

BREAKNECK RIDGE is an ode to the Hudson Highlands, featuring master uilleann pipe maker (and player) Seth Gallagher, Steve Kent on bansuri flute, Al Hemberger on bass, Joe Johnson on guitar and synthesizer, Eric Starr on drums and Al Hemberger and Motherlode on harmonies. Revkin plays guitar, mandolin, banjo and fiddle.

BLACK BIRD (aka, That Dreadful Bird), inspired by a true mining tragedy, was initially recorded by Joe Johnson as a solo live performance by Revkin at a Cold Spring songwriters’ circle, with Ken Veltz providing light percussion on cajon. Revkin invited the great fiddler Bruce Molsky and bassist Mark Murphy to enrich this recording in the studio.

GRANDPA'S CADILLAC, a celebration of an amazing car, features Joe Johnson on electric guitar, Art Labriola on pedal steel guitar and Joel Diamond on keyboards. Also playing are Al Hemberger on bass, the versatile Eric Starr on drums and Revkin on guitar.

BILLS BILLS BILLS, a high-revving twangy tune about debt, features Art Labriola on dobro, with Pete Rundquist on guitar, Mark Murphy on bass and Jerry Krenach on drums. Al Hemberger and Peter Rundquist sing harmonies. Revkin plays mandolin and guitar.

LIBERATED CARBON is a three-minute history of humanity’s energy choices. The bluesy song features Joe Johnson on electric guitar and Joel Diamond on keyboards. Also playing are Al Hemberger on bass and Ted Hemberger on drums. Al Hemberger and Motherlode provide harmonies. Revkin plays acoustic guitar.

BETWEEN THE RIVER AND THE RAILS recalls the splendors of a bygone Irish pub. The Celtic-tinged song features Steve Kent on penny whistle, Bruce Molsky on fiddle, Seth Gallagher on uilleann pipes and the climate scientist Raymond Pierrehumbert on accordion. Joe Johnson added guitar and keyboards. Al Hemberger played bass and Eric Starr drums. The grand chorus is Motherlode Trio along with Al Hemberger, Russ Cusick and the singer-songwriter Derek A. Dempsey. Revkin plays guitar, mandolin and banjo

SONG FOR LISA, the one instrumental on the album, features Mike Marshall on mandolin and Mark Murphy on upright bass, with Revkin playing acoustic guitar and Eric Starr light percussion.

For much more on the album cut and past this link:
http://j.mp/revkinmusic

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