L.A. Beat

Lethbridge based musician Indio Saravanja pays homage to several of his influences on his latest CD “Travel On.”
 It is the second CD he has released this year which he recorded in fellow Lethbridge transplant Leeroy Stagger’s studio.
 Saravanja has a really pleasant, laid back feel on the first track, “Desperate Man,” which is reminiscent of Bob Dylan. While throughout, his guitar playing is reminiscent of  Dire Straits Mark Knopfler.

 He nails Knopfler’s voice and guitar sound on the Cajun tinged Mam’zelle Grason.
He is backed by a crack band including Evan Eushenko on lap steel and melodica, Paul Holden on bass and drummer Kyle Harmon, while Saravanja plays a heap of instruments. Annie Avery adds Hammond organ on “Real Gone.”

“Real Gone,” is one of several uptempo Dire Straits influenced highlights featuring a tasteful guitar solo and  Bob Dylanesque lyrics. “Black Angel” is a sweet, exotic sounding mid tempo ballad.
He taps into the spirit of Neil Young and Crazy Horse on “Johnny Guitar.”
 The piano takes the lead on the very pretty and tender “Nick’s Song.”

He tells some gripping stories in his songs especially on “Thieves,” one of several reflecting  Bob Dylan’s influence.

On the other hand, “Real World” could easily be mistaken for a long lost Dire Straits track right from the into guitar lead.
 He goes blues on “Train is Coming Soon.”, which features some subtle slide guitar playing.

 He ends the CD on a sad note with “ Who Remembers Margaret,” featuring some very pretty arpeggios and which also recalls Bob Dylan.

He has some very poetic lyrics on the CD, so a lyric sheet would have been helpful, but overall, “Travel On” will appeal to anybody who appreciates Bob Dylan, Dire Straits or just good storytelling based songwriting.