John Lincoln Wright's That Old Mill:

In this deep-rooted album, John Lincoln Wright hits the mark with solid and straight-ahead lyrics, powerful singing, and excellent tone-setting arrangement and musicianship. John Lincoln imparts right-on wisdom on basic humility, consideration for and appreciation of others, and maintaining the presence of nature around us.

The Same Old Wind I brings us back to Main Street and the enveloping string of elm trees that not-too-long-ago graced the New England roads and backroads with towering strength. Chuck Parrish wraps John Lincoln's vocals with his trademark guitar playing; enrapturingly clear and understated at the same time. Matt Leavenworth gives the song a serene breeze with his swaying fiddle around and under the guitar and singing. John's instantly-identifiable voice captures the rocking-chair tone of the song and lyrics. In Grandpa's Words, John passes along his Grandpa Lincoln's timeless advice of doing the best with what you have to work with, appreciating the specialness in everyone, and not placing yourself above others.

Wild and High is a bountiful wilderness waltz, with Rosie Rosenblatt's calling harmonica lifting us outdoors. Matt Leavenworth's and Darrell Scott's softly-jangling acoustic guitars bring out the warm beauty in this song that intertwines us with nature's resolve. The Gandy Dancer is an exquisite recording of Tom Ghent's father-son perspective. Tom lays down the acoustic guitar lead on top of Larry Flint's soft bass guitar and Matt Leavenworth's hearth-warming fiddle. John Lincoln captures the emotion of looking back amidst the wonder of parenting.

The Ballad of Frank and Pearl is an anthem of the troubling trend of newfound richness displacing generations of hard work and honest effort. Sad it is that great opportunities for the young business executives do not come with corresponding respect for those that can't even get by after forty-plus years of grueling labor. One Who Cares sings of keeping your hope up in that seeming eternity to get past your current condition on the way to meeting your goals and dreams. Johnny Cunningham's fiddle settles nicely with John Lincoln's heart-reaching singing.

The Same Old Wind II finds John reflecting back on the bustling work and play during the active days and nights the mills brought. There's a beautiful combination of guitar, mandolin, and dobro played by Sheldon Mirowitz, Matt Leavenworth, and Darrell Scott. Matt shows his tremendous versatility in deftly playing rhythm guitar, mandolin, and fiddle. Chuck Parrish chops in with a punching lead guitar on That Old Mill, a sad statement of what can happen and did happen to many a mill town.

You can picture yourself alongside a struggling-to-get-by couple whose love carries them through the day in Lovin' on a Shoestring. Sandy Martin harmonizes in conversation and song with John Lincoln and teams up with Kathy Burkly to set down a solid rhythm on bass and drums respectively. Glenn Shambroom plays a very enjoyable electric guitar throughout. His sliding and tasteful licks bring out the tone of the lyrics so well that the guitar seems almost to be a harmonizing third voice.

Pine Tree John. Kick up your heels to this Sourmashing search for two-fisted drinking and two-stepping dancing. Matt Leavenworth could bring this fiddlin' to any Arcadian or Cajun festival. Darrell Scott's bending guitar notes put you behind the wheel heading up Route 95 to hear John Lincoln hoot n' holler at harvest time. The wonder of Mt. Katahdin is captured by the majestic singing of John Lincoln Wright. Chuck Parrish's circling guitar is satisfying as a cool drink of water from Chimney Pond after descending the Knife Edge trail. Howie Tarnower and Matt Leavenworth combine on mandolin and fiddle to envelope John Lincoln's vocals on Waltz of the Pines.

The Same Old Wind III sets the sun down on this great album. Matt doubles up on mandolin and fiddle to give the song a bluegrass flavor, and lends a rhythm guitar to augment Sheldon Mirowitz lead. John Lincoln takes us on a quick Maine tour as he reminds us to appreciate and hold on to what we have as we go along, and to respect what came before us.

That Old Mill is a "Hall of Fame" album. John Lincoln Wright is a powerful singer who hits home with every note. His lyrics should be required listening to anyone who has an interest in New England heritage. Throughout the album, the musicians understatedly present their outstanding contributions in a truly unselfish fashion. The closer you listen, the more you appreciate the individual contributions of this great ensemble of friends that have brought joyful entertainment to audiences over the past twenty-five years with John Lincoln Wright. A music library can not be considered complete without this masterpiece.

CD Review by Terry Eagan

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