January/February 2000

Howard Levy/Miroslav Tadic/Mark Nauseef
The Old Country
MA Recordings

By Nancy Ann Lee

After a catchy start on "Invocation," the world-influenced music from former Flecktone Levy (diatonic harmonicas, jew's harp, clavichord), Tadic (guitars, bass guitar), and Nauseef (percussion, drums) deteriorates into performances that are rudderless, timid, and lacking cohesion and verve. Things peak at mid-point in the 12 tunes, but fail to maintain momentum. Sounding more like three self-indulgent guys diddling around in the early morning hours, their scattered music holds little to pique listener interest.