CD. Vance Gilbert is no average folk singer. His Edgewise is on equally sure footing whether he is rejuvenating a hoary Eagles song ( Lying Eyes ) melding country and rap or singing love songs of either the tender or tortured variety. Presided over by the smooth production of Alain Mallet which anchors the album in some places with percolating percussion and in others with jazzy guitars (on one song provided by Tuck Andress) and soaring background vocals (by Patti Cathcart and Jonatha Brooke) Gilbert s songs address racism growing older and the fires (of joy and despair) that burn beneath the calm faces strangers wear for one another. He is a storyteller of the first order and Edgewise is a gem. ~ Peter Stepek Rovi