MOTIF Review: Red Eye Flight - "Reposado"

Back in the 1960s the schism that separated the musical worlds of pop and country were about as wide as the Grand Canyon herself. Perhaps the old North vs. South resentments, by then over a century old, were still sore open wounds, and those differences were reflected in their respective cultures. But slowly as the decade ended, notable rock artists began exploring the rich and vast history of true American roots music and began incorporating a country sound into their work. Notable examples like Bob Dylan’s “John Wesley Harding” and The Byrds’ “Sweetheart of The Rodeo,” today considered pioneering country-rock classics, were initially met with suspect and scorn from both sides of the musical fence. In fact, when the latter attempted to promote their album on The Grand Old Opry’s radio show, its host, the Nashville impresario Ralph Emery, openly insulted band members Roger McGuinn and Gram Parsons, refusing to play any of the tracks simply because he couldn’t see past their “long hair” and “hippie attire.”

Thank goodness today such petty and close-minded attitudes have given way to a willingness for fans and artists alike to cross over into various musical styles without prejudice. I don’t think anyone would disagree that today the lines that separate country music and pop are as blurry as they’ve ever been throughout the rock era. Which leads me to an impressive country/roots collection titled Reposado, by the outstanding Rhode Island based recording artists, Red Eye Flight.

Though the release marks their recording debut, Red Eye Flight have been performing throughout Southern New England since their inception in 2005. Band members Rand Torman (drums), Ken Taylor (bass), Tim Murphy (acoustic guitars), Derek Escher (guitars, mandolin), and Kelly Cleveland (percussion, keyboards) not only form a tight instrumental unit, but the added element of each member contributing vocals gives their overall sound a cohesive edge. The seven radio-ready tracks were produced by local music heavyweight Emerson Torrey (late of The Schemers), and but for one song, contain all-original material.

The album kicks off with the country-folk flavored “Sandstone Creek.” The song’s gentle guitar picking and earnest rhythm, not to mention Murphy’s voice, reminds me of some of James Taylor’s best work. On the refrain, “Now that old freight train has turned in its last miles, too soon be gone,” he’s joined by Kelly Cleveland, whose beautiful harmony is reminiscent of Emmylou Harris.

On the snappy Tex Mex “Making Margarita Cry,” Ken Taylor takes over the vocal, along with another former Schemer, Richard Reed, on the accordion. “I spent six weeks in a Tijuana jail, to this day I don’t know why, cause all I remember doing wrong was making Margarita cry …”

Reposado‘s one cover song, Dave Rawling’s “I Hear Them All,” is a pitch-perfect reworking, which illustrates Red Eye Flight’s passion for the great American song and all that its tradition entails. All told, Red Eye Flight accomplish one credible work of art through their amalgamation of country, folk, roots and rock. And to borrow from the lyrics, throughout Reposado, these musical elements “take their places at the table when they are called.