Playing Time 40:59 -- Alberta-based guitarist/vocalist Steve Fisher has been as busy as a beaver lately. Only a year and a half after his acoustic quartet, Restless Lester, thrilled us with their debut “Endless Skies” album, Steve’s assembled some top-flight American and Canadian musicians for an interesting and memorable solo project. Bandmate Bruce Blair fiddles in his characteristically lyrical style, and more of his presence (such as on Guy Clark/Richard Leigh’s “I’m All Through Throwin’ Good Love After Bad” and John Hurt’s “Stack O’Lee”) would have been welcome. Other western Canadians joining Fisher include Jim McLennan (guitar), Cedric Blary (clarinet), Paul Bergman (acoustic bass) and Robin Tufts (percussion). Unpretentious harmony vocals are laid into the mix by Ron Spears, Chris Jones and Sally Jones. Vancouver-based bandleader John Reischman adds precise mandolin playing that is just as tricky as it needs to be without sacrificing tone. Sally Van Meter, one of John’s bandmates from the Good Ol’ Persons, taps the slow, bittersweet notes of her resophonic guitar. Because Fisher covers many moods in his repertoire, he’s done a splendid job lining up a supporting cast with similarly adventurous tastes. They share his eclectic folk, blues, country, bluegrass and traditional roots sensibilities whether covering material from Mel Tillis, Kate Wolf, W.C. Thompson, Dick Weissman, Fred Carter Jr., Jim McLennan or even recalling a day from yesteryear when southern string bands picked high-stepping tunes like “Florida Blues.” While the set begins with a snappy original fiddle tune opener, Steve’s own “Riding the Reservoir,” by the end of the enjoyable program it’s clarinet, percussion and guitar leisurely propelling “Horizontal” to a new musical plane. Steve Fisher’s own musical horizon indicates a broad range of musical knowledge, experience, interest and skill. As a solo project, “River” is a fitting presentation of his unique acoustic flair and personality. Of course, there’s a whole other side of Fisher as a well-known bluegrasser who has built a reputation with the Sheep River Rounders, Hot House Bluegrass Band, and Restless Lester. That’s a story for other albums to tell. And then there is Fisher’s work with various charities including the Eco Village of Hope Society formed by his wife and a number of her friends with the goal of creating an environmentally sustainable orphanage in the village of Nam On, China. Social consiciousness is just one more of this consummate musician’s goals and vision. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)