Once street-musician Peppino D’Agostino lands on a soothing, Mediterranean soundscape in his new album. The Italian born, self-taught guitarist brings a poetic, ambient sensibility to “Every Step of the Way.”
With mellow strings and flowing, easy rhythms, D’Agostino’s music is reminiscent of Paco de Lucia’s or that of a less edgy Carlos Santana. “Costa Rica” and “Desert Flowers” are fitting tracks for the soundtrack to a night of cooking and drinking wine, or an intimate, bohemian cocktail party.
The album is far from flawless, as it essentially retraces the same calm, worldly sound without much diversity, and tracks like “Under the Same Sky” are over-sentimental with flourishing arcs of finger plucking. However, “Every Step of the Way” is pleasant above all else; not a groundbreaking album by any means but perfectly enjoyable.
Local music fans may note that he’ll be playing Santa Monica’s own McCabes Tonight.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 23, 2007. Read the original PDF.