IndiePulse Reviews: Rain Walking, the latest album by Fred Hostetler
Share this:
Review by Joseph Timmons, IndiePulse Journalist.
Fred Hostetler, in his musical career has created music that inspires, the thoughtful contemplations that are walking meditations in music that has in its foundation a world view. From his rock and blues influenced tracks to his folk and mystically divine vocals and wit, there are hints of the Far East philosophy that allows us to enjoy and embrace his thoughts.
His latest release “Rain Walking” is no different, and is proof that one man can take is vision of a perfect world and give it that perfect musical score, the soundtrack of a life being lived and wisdom beyond years.
The album opens with the title track Rain Walking, the music itself is reflective with melancholy and a bit of mirth, a dreamy and reflective, you can imagine a man walking in a downpour, and with each drop, the “dirt” of life washes away, layer be layer, until a clean and shining soul is all that is let behind, standing under a rainbow in the warmth and a bright and shinning sun of hope.
The following track “Walking You Home”, friendship, kinship, empathy and love are the words I gather from this simple and compassionate song. In this world we all feel alone and abandoned. Fred offers his hand to us with a smile and pure brotherly love, and human kindness.
“Orphan Blues” is more of a down town Blues track, a song of sudden loss and how, at any age, and at anytime your life can change dramatically.
With a reverence for the master of Reggae music, “Where is Bob Marley” is a lament to how, even though the man has passed, his voice still resonates and the message, like the fight, goes on. The man may die, but the song lives on!
“The Way the World Turns”, this song features the soulful draw of slide guitar, Fred sings of the everyday bad luck that happens to us all, some say “it is what it is” but Fred spins it to “this is today, tomorrow will be a new day, you may have it bad, others have worse, the world keeps turning and you live another day by the almighties grace, you’re blessed and lucky to see the morning dew.
In the song “You Found Me”, with a classic country music ambiance blended with R&B horn, sounds of redemption and hope, along with faith and rejoicing in compassion.
The final track of this album of human grace if “Happy Fingers”, an up-beat and whimsical song, a song that exudes joy and self-love, sharing a gift with others and looking for life’s adventures.
Now, I know I have used language that may make one think this is a faith-based album, but I would think Rain Walking is more of an album compose of songs of faith, whether in an almighty presence or in one’s self. Songs that lighten the heart, make sense of tragedy or just simply to bring a smile to a sad heart.
About Fred Hostetler
Fred Hostetler crosses the great ‘genre divide’ from folk to blues and rock, brought to life by many of the artist’s original songs and reflections. He has worked with major artists including the late, great guitarist Johnny Winter, Graham Parker, Jeff Beck, The Knack, Billy Squier, and Grammy-award-winning producer, Jack Douglas. Along with Karen Lawrence, Hostetler founded the highly-acclaimed Southern California blues band, Blue by Nature. His musical style, while grounded in Blues and Americana traditions, cannot be defined by a single genre.
Hostetler won “Best Singer/Songwriter” in 2019 from the LA Music Critic Awards and the Severn/FM-UK Blues Hour and Encyclopedia of Rock “Industry Award” in 2021.
Fred is a Goshen, Indiana native and graduate of Goshen College. Fred currently resides on Whidbey Island in the Pacific Northwest and looks forward to resume playing live again in 2023.
Mixalis Blues – Fred Hostetler: The Lotus of The Blues
Share this:
BLASTMUSIC247.COM
Leave a Reply