Reviewed by Paul Keeble

Eric Lambert has been playing flat-pick style guitar for 40 years and the wealth of all that experience shows in this excellent album. Together with his friends Steve Haberichter on mandolin, Dan Rogers on bass and Pat Fiddle on fiddle (yes, you read that right), Eric cooks up a storm of top-notch Americana, roots and bluegrass with hints of folk, country and blues. These 10 tracks of acoustic music prove an electric current isn't necessary for making an impact by generating great energy in the playing. It's always great to hear an album where the musicians are obviously having a good time interacting with each other. I would think his band would be really worth experiencing live. Many tracks feature great solos and interplay between guitar, mandolin and fiddle (by the way, always "fiddle" and never, ever "violin" on this kind of music). The quality of the recording is excellent with a beautiful, natural tone for each instrument clear in the mix in what can sometimes be quite complex riffing and soloing. Highlights include opener "Cumberland Blues", "Breakfast At Georges" and title track (with some on-fire fiddle reminiscent of Canadian maestro Hugh Marsh). Apart from "Make It Through The Night" ("I kneel down at night and I thank the Lord/For doing the things he do") there is no obvious indicator of Lambert's faith. However, the sheer quality of this music had me thanking God yet again for inventing such a great way for us humans to reflect his creativity that can give so much pleasure to maker and listener.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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