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Artist: Band: Greenlight Caravan
Album: Mother Earth Revival
Label: Smashing Grass Records
Genre: Guitar Funk Rock
Sounds Like: Little Feat, Eagles, Spin Doctors
Technical Grade: 8/10
Production/Musicianship Grade: 9/10
Commercial Value: 8/10
Overall Talent Level: 9/10
Songwriting Skills: 9/10
Performance Skill: 10/10
Best Songs: Paracleto's Umbrella, Pocket Full of Regrets, Lay Down Low
CD Review:

Greenlight Caravan is a hard driving, funky rock band from Lafayette, Louisiana. Their new release, Mother Earth Revival is a great collection of guitar based, groove driven songs. Mark Clark sings lead vocal and plays a variety of guitars, synths, and percussion. John David Fontenot plays a wicked lead guitar, provides background vocals, and a variety of other percussion. Eric McClanahan plays bass, background vocals, sitar, and percussion. Eugene Botts plays a variety of keyboards and sitar, while Mark Anthony Guilbeau shares drumming duties with Eric Pierret and Mike Burch . Mark Clark is listed as the primary songwriter but several the band members have songwriting credits.

One of my favorite cuts on the CD was Paracleto's Umbrella. Fontenot lays down a powerful guitar riff before the band falls into a throbbing, churning rhythm that's bound to get the dancers up. This is groove music reminiscent of the late 60's band Little Feat. The opening percussion of Mother Earth Revival takes me back to the many hippie festivals I've attended. I'm sure these guys must rock a live show.

Evolver is a slower moving ballad encouraging a friend who is making a recovery from drug and alcohol abuse. Clark's vocal and Fontenot's guitar do a great job of avoiding the cliché pitfalls and make the song honest and moving. Pocket Full of Regrets is another slower tune that highlights Clark's soulful vocal. Resolution is a funky number in the style of classic guitar rock from the Doobie Brothers. Lay Down Low gets downright funky with some great vocals and a popping hot horn arrangement courtesy of guest, Jon Smith,formerly of Edgar Winter's White Trash. Idle Hands boasts a tasty lead guitar over a rockabilly arrangement for a nice change of pace. Some soulful keyboard work from Botts sweetens the mix.

Mother Earth Revival is a revival of some great rock traditions, especially the great mix of funk and guitar rock. If you like funky guitar rock that stands out from the crowd, check out Greenlight Caravan's CD Mother Earth Revival.