This is by far the most exotic recording by prolifically productive Steve Goldberger and his Fringe Locals (Eric Mahar, Penner and Jessie MacKay, Herb Nelson, Conrad Kipping, Ed Kopala and David Norris), along with special guests Chad McMillan, James Brown, Percy Quinn, the late Joe Ingrao, Garth Vogen and Peter Alexander.
Completely devoid of lyrics, the songs feature an exhaustive list of percussive and melodic instruments, quite a few of which I�d never heard of, e.g. dumbek, udu, jimbay, guito, cabassa, clave, rainstick, etc., in addition to the comparatively �common� acoustic, electric and steel guitars, accordion, mandolin, bodhran, tambourine, tin whistle, didgeridoo, Hammond and piano. To say that you�ll hear �everything but the kitchen sink� would be appropriate, except that a kitchen sink (along with a wood stove and various other household articles) is also listed in the instrumental credits!
There�s an international contingent of musical influences here, as well � African, Cajun, Spanish, Celtic, Cuban, Caribbean, Russian, Romanian, you name it, and it�s probably here, if you listen closely enough. The only �conventional� songs you�ll hear here are the bonus track, �The Shaw Shuffle�, a classic swing shuffle collaboration by Goldberger, Nelson, Mahar, Kopala and MacKay, and the memorable smooth jazz of �Everything Gonna be OK�, composed by keyboardist Herb Nelson. The remaining songs stand as unique examples of broadened musical horizons.
Niagara-on-the-Lake has a lot of reasons to be proud of its cultural attractions. Steve Goldberger and the Fringe Locals can certainly be counted among them. |
