“Psychedelic Cowboy” Gary Van Miert releases third album as The Sensational Country Blues Wonders!, If I Stop Moving, I’ll Fall From the Sky.

By Graeme Smith

Gary and his Wonders have a unique style, combining the best of country, blues, gospel, pop, rock and psychedelia to deliver a sound that simply demands attention. The project is new to these pages, but Gary is a veteran musician, and his sound comes from the psychedelic acts of the 1960s in which he grew up.

He also draws from American legends such as Hank Williams, Muddy Waters and Elvis Presley. The Wonders’ line-up of acoustic rhythm guitar, electric lead guitar and upright acoustic bass mirrors what Elvis used for his first rock and roll records at Sun Studio, Memphis.

The album opens with We Are Made of Stardust and we are instantly welcomed into Gary’s weird and wonderful world. A cosmic instrumental matches the witty story of its lyrics while the natural charm of the vocals draws us in. A catchy chorus makes a bold early statement.

Two singles have been released from the album so far – Why Did I Eat The Whole Bag Of Mushrooms? and title track If I Stop Moving, I’ll Fall From the Sky. The former plods along with humorous storytelling while the latter proves a highlight thanks to its vibrant, timeless and quirky composition.

Other highlights include the playful, catchy I Rode The Bus With Joey Ramone, the rip-roaring rock number Magic Glasses, and the jaunty Gravity.

Gary Van Miert is truly one of a kind, and his approach to music is so charming and charismatic you can’t help but want to join him in his eccentric world. If I Stop Moving… is a beautifully composed and played album, and its whimsy is just what we need in an over-serious world.

If I Stop Moving, I’ll Fall From The Sky is out now and you can give it a listen below.