Search - Aztec Two-Step :: Days of Horses

I was dead wrong

Mark Lipton | The Berkshires, MA | 01/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Over the past decade it seemed as though Aztec Two Step had drifted into the abyss of many good acts: annual reunion concerts that trudged through the play list of best hits and fan favorites.



As an on/off follower of the group for nearly their entire 30-year partnership, I enjoyed these reunions but felt increasingly saddened when driving home after each concert. The duo - Rex Fowler and Neil Shulman - was living in the past and what limited new material they presented seemed to fall flat with me and the crowd. I resigned myself to acknowledging that Aztec Two Step was not much more than a nostalgia act - regardless of how highly proficient they played played guitar and sang. The only thing they seemed to have lost since their last collective album was the ability to rekindle the creative magic they once had.



Well, I was dead wrong.



Fowler and Shulman have delivered an extraordinary set of songs in Days of Horses. The theme throughout is cohesive (no, it's not about horses), the lyrics intelligent and alternatively witty and poignant, the instrumentals among the best they've ever performed, and the entire production by Paul Guzzone absolutely first-class.



Whether you're an old fan or you never heard of A2S before, this is a keeper for any listener who's drawn to folk-with-a-beat and lyrics that evoke personal reminiscing while you're listening to the tunes.



It's highly unusual for two talented performers to pick up after so many years of reunion tours and create something out of fresh cloth that's not only so fresh, solid and timely, but retains their original roots. Fowler's voice has never been clearer and distinctive; Shulman's guitar work retains its technical excellence; their harmonies can melt butter.



The title song, "Days of Horses," will get you humming the melody in the middle night when you go for a drink of water. Shulman's "Better These Days" gives us the intelligent wit that he typically displays in concerts between songs, but sadly is not displayed in his previous music. "Everybody Knows," written by Fowler, is my gem of the disc and you'll be hitting the REPLAY for this cut `till you finger wears out.



I was wrong about these guys; there's so much left in them and I hope they can figure out how to reach an audience that doesn't know they exist but would love their 30 years of collective talent.



It should give us all hope that we're never washed-up in something we once did well and loved.

"

It Was Worth The Wait !

Edward Goss | The Nutmeg State, USA | 09/19/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Most everyone my age (old) probably remembers the group Aztec Two Step. Their albums have been highly prized in the Folk and Folk/Rock collections of music fans throughout the country. Featuring well-written songs, strong harmonies, and excellent guitar work, many of their "hits" are easily recognizable anytime we are lucky enough to hear one on today's restrictive radio station playlists. Rex Fowler and partner Neal Shulman have released a new Aztec Two Step CD, "Days Of Horses," on Red Engine Records (RER003). Their first studio release since 1993's outstanding "Of Age," "Days Of Horses" is a fine collection of well crafted songs that will leave new and old fans alike hoping that it doesn't take another eleven years for the next album! The title song, along with "Stargazers" & "Scotty Moore, Bill Black and Elvis" rival anything Rex has written down through the years, and Neal contributes a couple of instant A2S classics in "Better These Days" and "I Don't Believe In Jesus (but I sure do like his songs)". Do yourself a favor and add this to your Aztec Two Step collection. Or, introduce yourself to a duo that has entertained fans for 31 years - and counting!"