“…the right sound at the right time…beautiful acoustic guitar playing and questioning
lyrics…songs performed with forceful vocals and near perfect instrumental harmonies.”
Variety
“…there was Aztec Two-Step, performing with an unrefined sweetness and verve that was folk-rock,
pure and simple...Here was music that was honest, that spoke from the heart and soul without guilt
or guile, that sang of hope, love and peace without any trace of irony. It was music that had its
priorities straight.”
The Hartford Courant / 15th Anniversary Concert
“Some of the most endearing, beautiful music I’ve heard in a long time. They’ve solidified
their reputation as unique, exquisite act.”
Performance Magazine
“Rex and Neal are possibly the best acoustic duo in the world today.”
Acoustic Live!
“Fans of the duo’s harmony-driven tunes and easygoing acoustic guitar riffs will recognize their
James Taylor-meets-Simon & Garfunkel sound. What’s new is the mood. This album sits back on its haunches as Rex Fowler and Neal Shulman look back wistfully at American pop culture and their own ride through it.”
Boston Globe / Days of Horses
“Rock music has its success stories, such as the Rolling Stones and the writing partnership of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. In folk music there is Aztec Two-Step.”
Sarah Cornelius / CtFolk
“To begin with I think they’re both a little weird. Well, maybe eccentric is a better word. With Rex it’s obvious because he’s a poet, and poets are suppose to be like that. Neal is a little different because he’s so open. But his sense of humor is not exactly what you might expect. Of course, maybe I say that they’re weird because I like them, and I think everyone I like is a little weird. I’ve always believed that you need to have a touch of madness to create any art, and the music that Neal and Rex make together is beautiful. It has depth; and sometimes they get this spooky quality that really reaches me. That’s the crux of the matter, their music reaches me.”
David Bromberg
“May Aztec Two-Step’s word-brain fill the Air. Anybody that interested in poetry’s welcome to enter my ear.”
Allen Ginsberg
“Neal Cassidy and Allen Ginsberg’s participation in the early spread of LSD was not the only effect of the Beat circle
on the growing youth culture of the 1960’s. In fact, the Beat saga would influence millions of youth who might never
read a word. Rock and roll produced at least two songs about Neal over the coming years, and both are superb. A duo called Aztec Two-Step permanently enshrined his archetype with the lovely “Persecution and Restoration of Dean Moriarty.” “Cassidy” was the second song, a beautiful ballad written by Bob Weir, a friend of Neal’s and rhythm guitarist for the Greatful Dead.”
From Dennis McNally’s Desolate Angel
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