Short Reviews [Matt Schwarz - 2003 - "The Lost Way"]

Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, one of the two primary songsmiths for the US outfit Sleepy Hollow, Matt SCHWARZ has one album released under his own name. Titled "The Lost Way", it contains eleven tracks (ranging from 2 to 8 minutes), all being the musician's original compositions. On most of them their creator is featured solo, playing acoustic guitar, flute, harp, dulcimer and mandolin, though it is the former two instruments that are usually in the arrangement, apart from Matt's singing. Three of the tunes also feature a guest cello player, and two others are sung by a different vocalist, but these are just details which have no influence on the album's overall picture. All the songs without exception have a strong minstrel feeling, showing their maker as a modern-day troubadour, who is additionally well familiar with basic progressive rock doctrines. This heartfelt, inspired, original music (only Jethro Tull can serve as a reference point here) is aimed at lovers of acoustic Progressive and should satisfy all of them, save probably only those into classically inspired or avant-garde Chamber Rock.

VM: June 11, 2007