Rob Cassells

Evening Pastoral Sword 1979
Pianist Rob Cassels' first album also happens to be his best. You won't find quite the same degree of mean Southern boogie riffs that appeared on subsequent lps - this project reminds me more of Leon Russell (he even possesses a bit of Leon's drawl). Cassels' more-than-adequate piano finesse is demonstrated on the jazz instrumental 'Lunar Trot'. Don't worry, the Southern influence is still here and Steve Morse has been brought in to handle guitar chops as well as dobro and banjo; and some of those female BGV's sound right outta Lynyrd Skynyrd. Not a spectacular album, but finds its niche among the glut of male solo releases. KS