Rex Foster - Buffalo Zen (2001)

Since the last CD (Believin') Rex has been touring Europe, writing with the Harlan Howard publishing group in Nashville, playing the Kerrville Folk Festival, playing acoustic concert series across the country, opening for folks such as Lyle Lovett and Peter Rowan. This new CD (Buffalo Zen) is one more labor of love and focus. He has combined energies with, and has been produced by, well known and respected, Peter Rowan (Bluegrass icon/hero, Bill Monroe's side vocalist and guitar player, folk pop legend, part of the group 'Old and In The Way' with Jerry Garcia). He also became well known for his outlaw bluegrass era (Panama Red) with the Jerry Douglas, Bella Fleck, etc, gang. Peter and Rex have been friends and musical buddies for 28 years, so this project seems to have been long overdue. Rex is the first artist (other than himself) Peter has ever produced. This CD is a sterling example of his talent. The songs are mostly Rex's or what he has done with his friends songs after 'taking them captive'. He does a new, previously unrecorded, Peter Rowan song, a Tom Kimmel/Lisa Aschmann song, and co-written songs with Steve Fisher and Rick Beresford. One co-write with his daughter, Rachel Foster. All in all - a great collection of songs and songwriters. Old friend Bob Dylan stopped the tour bus in San Antonio at a local record store to pick up Rex's 'Artist' CD because the song Rex wrote ( 'Thinkin' 'Bout Bob Dylan' ) had come over the airwaves. He called the local DJ, ID'd himsef, and said, 'Where can I get Rex's CD'. So, listeners to Rex's work are in good company. Steve Earle writes the liner notes for 'Buffalo Zen'. He relays his feelings about the early influence of his old friend, Rex Foster. Cindy Cashdollar plays dobro, and lap steel with Rex on the new CD. She played on all the sessions for Dylan's grammy monster CD a couple of years ago. She is very magical and complementary with Rex's music. The line up of players for this CD are : Rex Foster / vocals, guitar Peter Rowan / vocals, guitars (acoustic/electric) Caroline Herring / backup vocals Emmett Smith / guitars (acoustic/electric) Cindy Cashdollar / slide instruments Billy Bright / mandolin Paul Pearcy / drums and percussion Jeff Hogan / drums and percussion Bennett Stealvogel / electric piano Bryn Davies Bright / stand up bass Dave Heath / electric bass Rex is already working on his next CD. He has decided that he will not let so much time elapse between releases. He was quoted as saying, 'When I let the silliest of things in life block my music and strain the fiber of creation, then I'm in big trouble...I'm not letting that happen. It's all a gift....reverence is not optional'. So, enjoy the work from Rex Foster and join him in the future.