Pete McCann: Parable

Who is Pete McCann anyway? On the 33-year-old guitarist’s debut disc it’s apparent he’s a man of multiple musical persuasions. The album kicks off ferociously in a full tilt, outside rockish gallivant that has everyone burning. Yet there’s a sly touch of amusement thrown in at the end, as if to say, “ha!” Later, we hear a more romantic McCann on the mellow bossa nova of “Patricia.” And while there’s lots more aggressive, free-wheelin’, wah-wah induced McCann to be heard throughout, the guitarist surprises us further with the western swing-tinged “Hoedown” and the “way out west” closer, “Sheriff Bob.” McCann has super support in all of this with Peter Epstein on soprano and alto saxes, Bruce Huron on tenor, Tim Lefebvre on acoustic and electric basses, and Matt Wilson on drums. Parable makes you wish that McCann was playing down the street so you could run over and check this chameleon out-he is definitely that compelling.

Originally Published November 1, 1999