Search - Peter Rowan :: Peter Rowan [CD on Demand]

Groovy hippiebilly-stoner country-grass

Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 07/11/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rowan's truegrass glory days came when he was in Bill Monroe's band back in the '66 edition, and then he went all traditional along with Jerry Garcia and the boys in Muleskinner and Old & In The Way... Somewhere in between came the disasterous would-be pop crossovers with Earth Opera and the Rowans (him and his no-account brothers...) Once all the dust settled, though, this turned out to be the album that he'll be remembered for, with several of his best-beloved (and most coherent) classic tunes. Noteably, there's the ultimate stoner/smuggler/pot farmer anthem, "Free Mexican Air Force", propelled by the gorgeous Tex-Mex accordion of his pal Flaco Jimenez, as well as the heady, peyote-inspired spirituality of "Midnight Moonlight", two songs which Rowan fans will never tire of... This album also solidifies his Southwestern desert-mystic mythologizing, a schtick he kept at for years with steadily diminishing results. Here's where it all gels for Peter Rowan... If you ever wondered what the fuss was about with this fellow, try this one out."

There's more to Panama Red than meets the eye.

12/27/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the first album done solely by Peter Rowan and what an album. For those who love his Panama Red (bet that a lot of you newcomers did not know he, not Jerry Garcia, wrote this one!) you will find a whole new world opening up. This ain't your Pappy's bluegrass...but a wild and wooly adventure that is bound to appeal to anyone who decides to take that turn off the mainstream road and explore the many changes it has gone through. I remember Mr Rowan from his days with Bill Monroe, the late great Father of Bluegrass. He was a young performer then, learning the trade of a bluegrass musician...the ultimate in teamwork music...each part is important to creating that high lonesome sound Mr Monroe was fabled for. He later branched out and did Old And In The Way with Dave Grisman and Jerry Garcia...first highlighting Panama Red a la The Acoustic Dead. Twenty years ago, he went completely solo after stints with Seatrain to create this gem. So just find a sweetheart and a fireplace. Cuddle up. Fire this CD up and listen to "Outlaw Love", "Break My Heart Again", and "Midnite Moonlite" and take a magic carpet ride to the Great Southwest. While he does sprinkle a few of his tomes that shall I say, lionize his youthful love of the cannabis plant in "Panama Red" and "Free Mexican Airforce"....they are more amusing and funny than an exhortation to shall I say...inhale. All in all this album is totally timeless, fun and romantic and a must for any free-thinker's CD library..."

Free Mexican Air Force

Robert Godwin | Topanga, CA United States | 10/11/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This well written ballad is best described as a mescalin induced hallucination of drinking tequila and smuggling marijuana. Flawless for the semi-sarcastic genre that includes other style mimickers like Dan Hicks. As subtle as it is dopey, and as sardonic as it is rueful, 'Free Mexican Air Force' remains one of my favorite late century counter culture observations."