Co-founding vocalist-rhythm gui-
tarist Cassidy Rain stirs the sweet-
ness of Edie Brickell, sass of Grace
Potter and spice of Susan Tedeschi
into her own soulful style. Mean-
while, longtime collaborator Bryan
Schroeder on lead guitar alter-
nates between a bubbly Jerry Gar-
cia-like sound and an aggressive,
yet tasteful and seemingly effort-
less blues-rock sound ala Duane
Allman and Derek Trucks. Round-
ing out the regular lineup are the
funk-steady rhythms of drummer
Samuel Goldstein and bassist Ja-
son Casanovas. In addition to Tim
on string and percussion, joining
them on “Peace of Mind” are ex-
ceptional keyboardist Joe Biglin
of fellow Northwest Jersey band
Doubleday and the swingin’, soul-
ful horn section of trumpeter
Mathew Bricker, bari saxman Aus-
tin Zaletel and alto saxophonist-
arranger Nathan Peoples.
Engineered by Don Sternecker
at his Mix O-Lydian Studios in the
NJ STAGE - ISSUE 68
Delaware Water Gap, the mighty
collection kicks off with “Your
Girl,” an upbeat unrequited love
song slightly reminiscent rhythmi-
cally of the Dead’s “He’s Gone,”
but faster. It would be fun for The
Outcrops to segue into the Dead
classic from this tune live and even
better if they went back into the
song, which also sounds a bit like
Van Morrison’s singer-songwriter
daughter, Shana Morrison.
Joe demonstrates his piano
prowess within the first 90 sec-
onds of the opening track with
a bouncy solo that immediately
segues into organ accompani-
ment of Bryan’s bubbly Jerry-like
guitar solo. Both keyboard ele-
ments add to the track’s blue-
eyed soul. Gospel-like organ play-
ing, as well as bright, swingin’
horns well arranged by Nathan,
compliments the richness of Cas-
sidy’s voice in a song dedicated
to a man in the hopes he takes
away the blues.
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