Greenlight Caravan

CD REVIEW: Greenlight Caravan - Mother Earth Revival
By Chip Withrow - 12/31/2008 - 01:22 PM EST
Artist: Band: Greenlight Caravan
Album: Mother Earth Revivial
Label: Smashing Grass Records
Website: http://www.myspace.com/greenlightcaravan
Genre: Rock/Soul/Funk
Sounds Like: Black Crowes, Stone Temple Pilots, Tower of Power
Production/Musicianship Grade: 9/10
Overall Talent Level: 9/10
Songwriting Skills: 9/10
Performance Skill: 10/10
Best Songs: Room 909, All These Midnight Colors, Pocket Full of Regrets, Spiders Streams and Kerosene
CD Review: For my last review of the year, I am writing about perhaps the hardest rockin’ album I heard in 2008.
Combining Black Crowes’ soulful swagger with the metallic crunch of Stone Temple Pilots and the jazz-funk of Tower of Power, Greenlight Caravan has crafted a uniquely retro-but-fresh hybrid that fits right into 2009.
The opening title cut percolates with a percussion intro and then explodes into a wake-up call reminiscent of Jefferson Airplane’s “Volunteers.” Next is “Room 909,” a monstrous cut peppered with horns, punchy organ, and John David Fontenot’s stinging lead guitar.
“Evolver” slinkily waxes and wanes between lush layers of guitars and Mark Clark’s big, bluesy vocalizing. It ends in another searing Fontenot solo – my only qualm is that I wish Eugene Botts’ Hammond organ were louder in the mix on the outro.
There is plenty of keyboard on the smoking rocker “All These Midnight Colors” – pounding Jerry Lee Lewis piano licks abound here, and the background vocals are cool, too.
On a set full of great cuts, “Pocket Full of Regrets” is a standout. It shows the acoustic softer side of Clark’s songwriting (he penned or co-authored every song) and builds into a bold chorus. The lyrics are evocative, and musical psychedelia also rears its trippy head here.
“Resolution” showcases more nifty guitar work – funky rhythm and soaring leads. (Again, the organ could be louder, but I’m a Hammond nut.) “Lay Down Low” is danceable, horn-heavy fun with vocals that veer between almost-rap and falsetto sing-along.
“Idle Hands” is a quirky twist in the road – bouncy reggae-fied jazz-blues. Then comes another monstrous slab of soulful rock in “Song For Sister Green Eyes,” which features a deep-groove interlude.
“Spiders, Streams and Kerosene” (great title, isn’t it?) has a jangly Allman Brothers-style vibe. It’s propulsive, and the piano is prominent. Another of my favorites. After a great song like “Spiders,” closing the CD with two mellow tunes seems anti-climactic, but they are both pretty. “Free” is stripped down and melodic, and “Through the Blue” is a laid-back take on the rootsy feel of “Spiders.”
As I’ve stated in other reviews, one of the highest compliments I will pay an act is that I really want to see and hear them perform. Every song on Mother Earth Revival is a winner, and I would love to watch and listen to Greenlight Caravan bring them to life onstage.

- Muse's Muse

CD REVIEW: Greenlight Caravan - Mother Earth Revival
By Don Sechelski - 12/23/2008 - 09:49 PM EST - http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-greenlight-mother.html
Artist: Band: Greenlight Caravan
Album: Mother Earth Revival
Label: Smashing Grass Records
Genre: Guitar Funk Rock
Sounds Like: Little Feat, Eagles, Spin Doctors
Technical Grade: 8/10
Production/Musicianship Grade: 9/10
Commercial Value: 8/10
Overall Talent Level: 9/10
Songwriting Skills: 9/10
Performance Skill: 10/10
Best Songs: Paracleto's Umbrella, Pocket Full of Regrets, Lay Down Low
CD Review:
Greenlight Caravan is a hard driving, funky rock band from Lafayette, Louisiana. Their new release, Mother Earth Revival is a great collection of guitar based, groove driven songs. Mark Clark sings lead vocal and plays a variety of guitars, synths, and percussion. John David Fontenot plays a wicked lead guitar, provides background vocals, and a variety of other percussion. Eric McClanahan plays bass, background vocals, sitar, and percussion. Eugene Botts plays a variety of keyboards and sitar, while Mark Anthony Guilbeau shares drumming duties with Eric Pierret and Mike Burch. Mark Clark is listed as the primary songwriter but several the band members have songwriting credits.
One of my favorite cuts on the CD was Paracleto's Umbrella. Fontenot lays down a powerful guitar riff before the band falls into a throbbing, churning rhythm that's bound to get the dancers up. This is groove music reminiscent of the late 60's band Little Feat. The opening percussion of Mother Earth Revival takes me back to the many hippie festivals I've attended. I'm sure these guys must rock a live show.
Evolver is a slower moving ballad encouraging a friend who is making a recovery from drug and alcohol abuse. Clark's vocal and Fontenot's guitar do a great job of avoiding the cliché pitfalls and make the song honest and moving. Pocket Full of Regrets is another slower tune that highlights Clark's soulful vocal. Resolution is a funky number in the style of classic guitar rock from the Doobie Brothers. Lay Down Low gets downright funky with some great vocals and a popping hot horn arrangement courtesy of guest, Jon Smith,formerly of Edgar Winter's White Trash. Idle Hands boasts a tasty lead guitar over a rockabilly arrangement for a nice change of pace. Some soulful keyboard work from Botts sweetens the mix.
Mother Earth Revival is a revival of some great rock traditions, especially the great mix of funk and guitar rock. If you like funky guitar rock that stands out from the crowd, check out Greenlight Caravan's CD Mother Earth Revival.

- Muse's Muse