Something I’ve noticed lately is how many musicians identify now as multi-instrumentalists. The idea isn’t new–every professional musician I’ve ever known plays multiple instruments. What is new perhaps is the willingness to showcase those talents in a more public way, whether to play them in a live show or highlight them on a record. An example of that wide-ranging mastery can be heard on the new album from Austinite Everett Wren, entitled Cascades. In addition to playing fiddle, mandolin, percussion, and 4 different guitars (acoustic, electric, resophonic slide, and lap steel), he also accompanies himself on harmony vocals.
Wren’s musical journey started on fiddle, with him winning a state fiddle championship and playing in the Arkansas Symphony Youth Orchestra while still in his teens. That first love anchors much of the album. Ungrounded uses central Texas’ famous grackles as a metaphor for the freedom that comes from changing an important direction in one’s life. Wren’s fiddle, and clogging, lend a Celtic influence to an otherwise country number. Weeping Willow Tree is an excellent arrangement of a traditional song about love lost, featuring fiddle and harmonica. Three instrumental pieces also highlight fiddle; Angie & Tim Reel, Banish Misfortune, and The Day Before. The latter was inspired by a friend’s visit to the dental surgeon. Banish is another traditional tune and has been on Wren’s playlist since hearing a band name themselves after it.
Wren also lets his rock flag fly on a few cuts. Starlight is a ballad, with an anthemic shot of horns for a touch of grandiose, about how he takes comfort in being such a tiny part of the universe. Those horns also make an appearance in Tug At Stars, whose keyboards give it a touch of 70’s art rock flair. Coffee & Jam is a little southern-rock-meets-bluegrass medley about all the wonderful things that come out of jamming with friends and strangers alike. As Everett notes, “we bond through the melodies”. Some Kind of Truth is driving rock and roll in a story about processing a misunderstanding with a friend.
In addition to playing many of the instruments himself, Everett Wren recorded this album in his own studio. With a Masters degree in acoustic engineering, I’d have to guess he was more than qualified to do so. The point I want to make, though, is that Wren is a roll-up-your-sleeves kind of guy. With a long history of collaborating in bands and his DIY attitude, he knows how to choose the right tool for the job. That mastery comes through loud and clear on Cascades.
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.