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Reviews of Ye Mariners All
Rambles, A Cultural Arts Magazine
This multi-faceted album by Lehto and Wright mixes traditional Celtic songs and tunes, electric guitar, acoustic folk and an alternative rock-type sound. There are songs and tunes on this recording to appeal to a good range of listeners....
The band, hailing from Minneapolis, consists of Steve Lehto (electric, acoustic, 12-string, high string and harp guitars, lap steel, percussion and vocals) and John Wright (8-string and double bass, acoustic and harp guitars, bass pedals and vocals). Lehto and Wright are joined by the able Matt Jacobs on drums and various percussion.
I absolutely loved the first track on the album, a high-energy, electric version of "Four Drunken Maidens." The vocal harmonies are exquisite, especially during the a capella bits. Wright and Lehto's voices make a good combination, and the snappy guitar melodies add a great deal of energy to the song. The next track, "The Butcher Boy," slows down the pace a little bit. Wright is the lead vocalist, with an appealing voice and good range.
I enjoyed the instrumental tracks on the album as well. "Jerry's Beaver Hat/The Eavesdropper/Con Casey's Jig" is a set of jigs featuring strong percussion and some excellent picking on the guitars. The mandolin blends well with the guitars. I particularly like the percussion in this set, as well as in "The One Legged Man/The Cock on the Wall." This set was written by Wright -- good, strong tunes and great sounding acoustic guitars. "The Lamentation of Owen Roe O'Neill/The Gander in the Pratie Hole" also features good energy and some wonderful guitar harmonies.
Some of the other songs on the album feature a rather unique blend of Celtic and electric that sound as though they had a heavy influence from "alternative" music. In "Harp/Pink Moon/Banish Misfortune," an alternative-sounding song is mixed within the framework of a traditional tune and Lehto's traditional-sounding "Harp." ...Track 7 is a good set of tunes, and its electric accompaniment style would not be out of place at a dance club -- I can imagine teens dressed up to the nines and throbbing to this one, with no idea that they're listening to traditional tunes!
I thought that the best result came from the traditional songs and tunes (both acoustic and electric), and would like to hear more from them in that genre.
—Cheryl Turner
All Music Guide, Expert Review
Bassist John Wright further explores his interest in traditional and folk music with this collection of stripped down (sometimes intimate, sometimes rousing) pieces. He's teamed up with talented acoustic and electric guitarist Steve Lehto who accompanied Wright sparingly on his previous "electric" recording Just Left of Center. This recording also features drummer Matt Jacobs who's also worked with Wright on his solo project as well as with the Celtic-rock Stuart Martz Band. On Ye Mariners All Lehto shares the spotlight with Wright as both perform, arrange and produce on an equal basis. Lehto's acoustic style can be likened to that of lan Anderson ("Skewbald") and Al Pettway ("Lamentation of Owen Roe O'Neill") while electrically he's more difficult to pin down although hints of Richard Thompson ("Four Drunken Maidens") and Martin Carthy ("Beamish's Goat" medley) are definitely evident. While the acoustic or stripped down electric treatment prevails on this album there are rocking moments, most notably their take on Nick Drake's "Black Eyed Dog" and portions of the epic title track both of which are endowed with Lehto's deft fingerprints. Wright handles the lead vocals in his unique delivery and his vast array of underlying basses reinforces the notion of the symbiotic relationship that should exist between talented guitarists and empathetic and equally talented bassists.
—Dave Sleger
Ledge #50, May 2001
John Wright is been a professional musician, who has been a subscriber to this magazine for quite a few years now. His previous album "At Cross Purposes" and the Stuart Martz band album "Threesome Reel" on which he features were reviewed many issues ago. I enjoyed those album then, and am glad to see that he finally has another release. This time with Steve Lehto, a guitarist no little talent. John plays guitars as well, though his main instrument is the bass, which helps some of these mainly traditional songs to thunder along rather than just jog. Percussionist Matt Jacobs joins them throughout the album, with other guests on a few songs as well. The album includes their takes on several well known songs and tunes, "Four Drunken Maidens", and an excellent "Ye Mariners All" for example. The medley of "Jerry's Beaver Hat", "The Eavesdropper" and "Con Casey's Jig" is a must listen to, the arrangement very different to the Fairport one we all know. Another medley includes Nick Drake's "Pink Moon", and "Banish Misfortune", based on Richard Thompson's arrangement of the tune. There are gentle acoustic pieces, and solid rockers, with Nick Drake's "Black Eyed Dog" arranged for the latter. Being an independent release in America this may not be easy to find, but you can contact the label direct at New Folk Records, P.O. Box 6182, Minneapolis, MN 55406 tel 612-824-7346.
FolkWorld CD Reviews
The folk-rock duo Steve Lehto and John Wright—with the assistance of Matt Jacobs on percussion—released their first album 'Ye Mariners All'. The 13 songs are made up by new and skillful arrangements of traditional or covered pieces and own songs, influenced by american as well as celtic folk. The 3 Americans perform their songs with virtuosity, combining excellent fingerpicking guitar with voices pleasing to the ear. And though it sounds not really new or exceptional, everyone who likes folk-rock songs in the style of Fairport Convention or guitar tunes in the style of Brian McNeill will enjoy this record.
—Tom Kamphans