W.S. Walcott Medicine Show

Nature Of The Universe – Stewart Forgey

Our friends at Curation Records released Nature of The Universe, the debut solo effort from Stewart Forgey this week and as a main contributor to the cosmicana band Pacific Range, its no surprise that this one is filled with a combination of twang and California sunshine.

Forgey’s light breezy vocal style will certainly be a breath of fresh air to those of us who grew up with or are just plain old fans of the mid 70’s LA country rock sounds. With a vibe that combines that cool laid back Laurel Canyon sound with hanging out in the ocean Yacht Rock feels, Forgey and his cast of friends from such bands as Mapache, Circles Around The Sun and Farmer Dave & The Wizards Of The West has put together what feels to me like the first “summer” album of 2024.

Of particular note is the instrumental “Tamarindo’, the second to last song on the album. I have no idea if it was intended as such but in this year of Allman Brothers guitarist, Dickie Betts’s passing, this song feels like a gorgeous and fitting tribute to Betts’s virtuosity.

So do yourself a favor and this weekend as you hang out poolside with the cold adult beverage of your choice and give Nature Of The Universe a spin.