PETER SPRAGUE: Guinnevere

For his latest release, guitarist Peter Sprague assembled a team of great instrumentalists to back up a collection of stellar singers, singing terrific songs.

Sprague named this collection after one of the most enigmatic and evocative songs penned by David Crosby—and given pristine harmonies of Crosby, Stills, and Nash—the 1969 gem “Guinnevere.” You might assume, with its obscure lyrics and hippie vibe, that this song would not wear well once tie-dyed t-shirts faded and the aroma of the pachouli incense drifted away, yet singer Rebecca Jade retains the song’s grace and mysterious power. She delivers a similarly expressive performance on “Whispers from the Great Beyond”

“George, Tell It Like It Is,” a song that has some history of inspiration from Steely Dan, features international singer Sinne Eeg. The Dane, a master of jazz phrasing, has also ventured into interesting musical territory, such as performing an orchestral interpretation of David Bowie’s Space Oddity. On this song Sprague and pianist Danny Green remember Thelonious Monk’s rule to keep the melody in your head when you solo.

Aubrey Johnson first performed wordless vocals in 2009, and here she contributes a wordless interpretation for the open and airy “August.” Without lyrics, the song is nonetheless inviting, gracious, and uplifting. Jimi Hendrix’s soulfulness was probably best expressed with his “The Wind Cries Mary” The crew backs up Lisa Hightower, who gives the tune a cavalier—maybe even a little bit cocky—vocal treatment it has long deserved.

Playfulness reigns with a reggae interpretation of the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations,” with Peter’s brother, Tripp, playing an interesting instrument. He blows into it, and I think it plugs in to an amplifier, too. Tripp rocks, and he takes things really out there! Leonard Patton proves that he’s one of the best baritone, tenor, alto, and maybe even soprano singers as he takes on all aspects of the original Beach Boys vocals.

Besides her near faultless vocal ability, Allison Adams Tucker perfectly conveys the lyrics to the sweet and inspiring “The Kiss.” It’s a family affair when Kate Sprague joins father and uncle Peter and Tripp for “You Make Me Want to Sing,” a lively offering that proves that the younger Sprague has learned well from her elders.

I can’t say enough good things about this recording. Besides the great singers, Sprague enlisted top-tier instrumentalists. Your parents will like this recording, all your aunts and uncles, too. Your children will like this recording; their children will like it; and their children will like it,too. Peter Sprague’s Guinnevere gets my fullest endorsement.