The indie scene should be proud to have Rusty Reid. He is already one of my favorite singer-songwriters and listening to his music is never an everyday experience. You can hear years of experience in the way he approaches every song and I enjoy every second of what he creates. Whenever I see his name, I smile because I know something special is about to play and this time was no different.
His new version of “Alchemist” caught me by surprise for another reason. Blue Water Highway has been one of my favorite bands in Texas for years. So seeing Rusty cover one of their songs was the last thing I expected. Instead of copying the original, he gives it his own identity while still respecting what made the song worth hearing in the first place. His singing carries real emotion and that is what kept me listening until the end. The instrumentation is great and supports his vocals. The guitars and moody touches fit together well and give the song a raw sound with so much soul and melody. I do think the mix could have been a little more balanced in places, but it never distracted me enough to take away from the performance.
This is another reminder of why Rusty Reid has earned my respect over the past couple of years. He knows how to make a song his own while keeping its heart alive. I’ll keep this version alongside the original and I’m already looking forward to hearing the rest of the album.
