This Curious Wonder
Lake Front, 2022
8/10
A long time musician who released 13 well received instrumental albums under his full name, Paul Adams, in the ‘90s, this time around Adams brings plenty of words into the equation, some of which go back 35 years for the now 70 year old artist.
Adams places “Sometimes I Feel” in the lead off position, where a bare duet is met with Elizabeth Geyer’s expressive pipes and Bradley Harper’s aching steel guitar, and “Man At 4th & Vine” follows with warm acoustic guitar to complement the eloquent storytelling of the intimate folk song.
Inching towards the middle, “I’m Lonely” is indeed a reflective and cautious offering, where mood is key, while “Freaks” bring a more rich climate to the harmonica friendly Americana that benefits much from both Adams and Geyer on vocals.
Although there isn’t a track present that isn’t excellent, “Songbird” is particularly stirring, where elegant piano and cozy steel guitar mesh well with Adams’ emotive singing, and “The Picnic” exits the listen with spoken word amid much atmosphere in an almost New Age sort of way that’s quite soothing.
Adams plays guitar, dobro, harmonica, oud, dulcimer, mandolin and sitar here, and along with Geyer and Bradley he also welcomes Andy Hatfield (mandolin) for the very diverse listen that touches on country, folk, jazz, bluegrass, Americana, ambient and world music in Adams’ wise and articulate vision.
Travels well with: Silver Lake 66- The Space Between Us; Jefferson Ross- Southern Currency