Guy Forsyth,
Unrepentant Schizophrenic Americana

Label: Small and Nimble Records
Released: 2007

(3½ out of 5)

Guy Forsyth is a modern-day Renaissance man. The insanely talented multi-instrumentalist can put on one hell of a show, alternately dazzling and amusing audiences on a musical journey that ventures from ragtime jazz and Delta blues to socially conscious folk and rollicking modern rock. The two-disc Unrepentant Schizophrenic Americana does a good job capturing the variegated intensity of Forsyth's live shows. Disc 1, Heads, comes mostly from an Antone's show in July 2006. It begins with the blistering "Calico Girl" and never slows down, hitting high points with fevered scatting on "Adam's Rib" and the "dope-selling preacher" rockabilly number "Red Letter Bible." Disc 2, Tails, features a slightly more laid-back, less-polished series of bluesy tunes from assorted road sets. Curiously, "Long Long Time" appears on neither disc, though he promises a crowd member he'll "get there in a second" in the outro from "Needle Gun." Even so, its absence doesn't detract. While Unrepentant Schizophrenic Americana can't replicate the experience of a live show, it offers a great substitute for when the real deal isn't an option.

Listen: "Calico Girl," "Take Advantage of You," "Adam's Rib," "Red Letter Bible"

Buy: Guy Forsyth's online store

May 21, 2007