Lance Mills returns to the musical scene with “Green Mountain Saturday Night,” an album that marks his comeback after an initial recording venture in 1979. Collaborating with a cadre of talented musicians, Mills crafts an album that spans an array of genres, echoing the music that defined our western culture.
Exploring blues, swamp rock, country, roadhouse rock, folk, Americana, and more, Mills presents a rich amount of themes ranging from joy and love to murder, betrayal, ghosts, moonshining, and inspiration.
The album kicks off with the lively “Hi-Way 5 Drive In Saturday Night,” a joyous ode that channels classic sounds from the 50s and 60s. The lyrics encapsulate the nostalgic atmosphere, with mentions of beer, a pretty girl named Sue, and a cooler of cold ones, all reminiscent of a bygone era to some extent.
“Lordy Lordy” stands out for its exceptional instrumental elements, particularly the vibrant fiddle that weaves seamlessly with sharp guitar strumming, creating an infectious and enticing groove. This track, much like its predecessor, invites listeners to dance and indulge in the merriment.
While “Old Number 13” adheres to a straightforward blues structure, employing a popular chord progression, its familiarity may leave some listeners craving a bit more innovation. On the other hand, “Brushwood Road” exudes high octane energy, setting the stage for a drive with its vivid imagery and evocative lyrics.
“I Let Her Fall” takes a classic country approach, emerging as one of the album’s highlights.
It also contains some very clever word play. “Where is my baby Where did she go Are those her footprints There in the snow If she finally left me I don’t blame her at all She wanted me to hold her I let her fall.” This is situation I surmise plenty of people can relate to.Mills’ vocals shine, complemented by warm and inviting instrumentation.
“Benny’s Silvertone” draws parallels to a 60s classic, while “Ghost Shadow” introduces an earthy organ, providing a refreshing palette change.
Throughout the album, Mills navigates various classic genres, from the delta blues stylings of “Long Long Gone” to the atmospheric folk vibes of “Jessie’s Song.” The influences on display are palpable and hard to ignore, creating a somewhat eclectic mixtape-like experience. Mills’ willingness to traverse diverse musical genres adds to the album’s charm, even if it occasionally feels like a patchwork of influences.
The album shines when it comes to the diverse and eclectic variation on instrumentation. It feels like instead of working with a limited palette of tones and textures they decided to really focus on what each individual song demanded. I would say there is a lot to admire here not only with the creativity but also the technical demands. I tend to refer to this as musicians music and this fit into that category quite well.
Overall “Green Mountain Saturday Night” showcases moments where certain styles shine brightly, cementing Mills as an artist unafraid to explore his roots. I think this will appeal to broad audience. Turn this one up and share it with friends.
Garth Thomas