Woodstock-based singer/songwriter Sylvia Bullett turned the recording of her new music into a kind of Woodstock house party, enlisting some of the finest area players from multiple genres and eras. Produced by Dave Cook at Area 52 studios in Saugerties, Flying Machine features substantive contributions from five-time Grammy winner Cindy Cashdollar on steel guitar, paired on a track with drummer and family torchbearer Gabe Butterfield. Avant-garde vocalist, composer and violinist Iva Bittová appears on the same track as the reed player and scholar of animal sounds David Rothenberg and the world-recognized harmonic overtone singer Timothy Hill. Imagine that. No, really. Other guests include the great bassist Jesse Murphy (he of Brazilian Girls and John Scofield’s Über Jam band), the jazz (and Hot Tuna!) drummer and Woodstock institution Harvey Sorgen, the cellist Adam Fisher and the distinguished Saugerties-native drummer Tom Goss.
Advance singles suggest that all this talent has been pretty masterfully managed and arrayed by Bullett and Cook, and everyone seems on board with the songs and their intentions. The gorgeous title track is a luminous bit of Eastern-tinged ambient piano-pop that seems a visitation of benign and curious aliens.
Sylvia Bullet celebrates the release of Flying Machine on Sunday, September 24 at 8 p.m. at Colony in Woodstock. This will not be a stripped-down affair. Opening acts are the great Woodstock singer/songwriter Paul McMahon, Adam Fisher and the Clear Light Ensemble. Special guests include Eileen O’Hare, producer Julie Last, reed player Peter Buettner and album contributors David Rothenberg, Harvey Sorgen, Jesse Murphy and Timothy Hill.
The suggested donation is $20. All record proceeds will be given to Earthjustice, “because the Earth needs a good lawyer.” Colony is located at 22 Rock City Road in Woodstock. For more information, visit www.colonywoodstock.com.
Join the family! 
