Review: John Roy Zat

John Roy Zat – Collaborations (Flyin Bayou)
John Roy Zat is a San Francisco based singer-songwriter, fiddler, and guitarist, who between performing original songs, plays traditional American roots music, be it folk, country or bluegrass. For his latest collection, he’s collaborated with a group of like-minded musicians who allow the opportunity to take the music into new and interesting directions, without messing too much with Zat’s intrinsic Americana sound. In other words, they get to stretch themselves, but don’t expect techno beats or heavy metal thunder.

A prime example is the opening track “Johnny Fonteneau” which enjoyably refigures Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode” into a tale about a young Cajun fiddler. It’s good fun, mixes up the genres, and if you’re not moving your feet by the time its three minutes is up, I recommend medical attention – if it’s not too late.

“Midnight On The Water” may well be Zat’s most recognizable song – Kate Wolf recorded it on her “Lines On The Paper” album – and here, accompanied by Floyd Latimer on mandolin and backing vocals, and Doug Wilcox on guitar, he absolutely nails it, its gentle sentiments laid bare. “Tonight My Sleep Is Restless” is equally moving and twice as sad, but his version of “Franky and Johnny” gets the joint moving again.
http://www.reverbnation.com/royzat
Rob F.