Lowlands 'Beyond' - Gypsy Child

This is the third release from a band that was formed in Pavia, Italy in 2008. The main influence is UK born, singer – songwriter Edward Abbiati, who penned the ten songs here and who selected Joey Huffman, ex Soul Asylum, to produce and play both Hammond organ and piano throughout. We also get the talents of Mike Brenner (Marah, Magnolia Electric Co.) and Richard Hunter (harmonica virtuoso) together with a terrific rhythm section of top Italian musicians.

The music starts out like a train and rocks through the early tracks with a Mellencamp/ Petty stride and strut. The band displays a tight sound and the mood slows into a more country groove with standout tracks like Ashes and Homeward Bound, showing a softer side to the arrangements.  Fragile Man is another reflective song that looks at life’s challenges and the resolve to face down the demands made in order to persevere. The counterbalance to the driving beat of Hail Hail and Waltz in Time is provided by the soft strum of tracks like Beyond and the celebratory final song Keep on Flowing sums up the mood perfectly with a classic rock line ‘we’re on this boat together darling, you and me’. All aboard then