By Paul T. Mueller
“I wanna go where I’ve never been,” singer-songwriter-bassist Scott Mulvahill declares on the title track of his new CD, Himalayas. “I gotta find out what I’m made of.” That impulse to self-discovery has produced some impressive results in the form of this collection, which embodies pop, jazz, blues and gospel, among other influences. A lot of musical ground, no doubt, but it’s nicely held together by Mulvahill’s strong, expressive vocals and his formidable skills as an acoustic bassist (he played that instrument for several years as a member of Ricky Skaggs’ Kentucky Thunder band).
Sunny themes mark many of the album’s 12 tracks, starting with “Begin Againers,” which celebrates persistence and fresh starts. “Top of the Stairs” is based on the idea that it’s the journey, not the destination, that really counts. “Move and Shake” features a lighthearted melody in the service of a serious message about changing what needs to be changed instead of waiting for someone else to do it. But Mulvahill isn’t afraid to confront darker ideas as well, such as regret over an unspecified transgression in the confessional “Indefensible” or dealing with the difficulties of relationships in “Fighting for the Wrong Side.”
Along with handling most of the vocals (harmony as well as lead), Mulvahill wrote or co-wrote most of Himalayas’ songs. A couple of covers are worth noting. “20/20 Vision,” an old bluegrass tune written by Joe Allison and Milton Estes, is remade here with a cool, jazzy-bluesy arrangement and powerful vocals. Similarly, “Homeless,” by Paul Simon and Joseph Shabalala, doesn’t sound much like the version on Simon’s Graceland, but is beautiful in its own way.
Several tracks feature Mulvahill’s bass and vocals only; contributing musicians on others include guitarist Jesse Isley, keyboardist Mike Hicks, dobroists Jason Mowery and Jerry Douglas, percussionist Josh Hunt, and former boss Skaggs on mandolin. Production is excellent, emphasizing – not surprisingly – Mulvahill’s bass. Good woofers are recommended. Mulvahill ‘s name is first in the list of producers, followed by Nashville notables Charlie Peacock, Gary Paczosa and Shani Gandhi.