GOVE Scrivenor may not actually swagger sitting down, but he manages to dance quite convincingly to the beat of his own accompaniment in that position. In full flight his feet provide a stomping rhythm section, at other times they merely flutter and scissor in delight at what the fingers have just achieved. It's hard to understand why this master American guitarist, singer and songwriter isn't better known. I'm not too familiar with his two record albums - but he is clearly a performer who bears closer scrutiny. On the night he came out of the blocks with a vigorous slide guitar treatment of Brownie McGhee and Sunny Terry's Stranger Blues and played and sung his way through an hour's worth of songs new and traditional. Lovely songs like Eric Von Schmidt's Make My Love Come Rolling Down were contrasted with ebullient offerings like a children's song from Texas that was at once tough and whimsical. Old stand-byes were freshly presented. Cocaine Blues became again a believable saga of some self deprecating wit, warmth and an acceptance of despair as a matter of course. Gove Scrivenor's voice is robust, flexible and beguiling, but for me the highlights of his performance were instrumental and came in two excerpts on the autoharp. His rendition of his own Two Rivers instrumental suite redefines the possibilities of this traditional Appalachian instrument with waves of carillon-like sound and beautifully articulated themes. Scrivenor's encore on autoharp also bears mentioning, if only for the effortless way he glided from leading a euphoric community sing-a-long of You Are My Sunshine into Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring laced with the odd quote from Beethoven. Ted Robinson - THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD Thanks for opening up the skies on top of that mountain. Burl Ives Gove's first appearance on "Austin City Limits," with the Amazing Rhythm Aces, was such a success we had to bring him back the next year this time with Doc Watson. It was a great show. Terry Lickona - AUSTIN CITY LIMITS, PBS TV Gove got the best response and achieved a downhome relationship with the audience of 1500. His set was well chosen, full of fine blues, and he was obviously playing what the crowd wanted to hear. Harry Eagar - NORFORK LEDGER STAR Gove was the star of the evening. THE VIRGINIAN PILOT Gove is still relatively unknown in the world of music. The world should listen a little closer. Mark Seal - UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, DAILY BEACON Labeling the music that Gove shared with the audience is not easy. Country, folk, rock, heavy all these adjectives may be applied to his music. His singing reached all levels from soft ballads to rowdy rock, and he often seemed to be pulling the music from his guitar which he aptly said was his home. Lynda Van Horn - LONGWOOD COLLEGE ROTUNDA To see a performer like Gove single handedly entice and cajole and entertain an audience is unique. A visit to a Gove concert is like going to the theatre. His presence and audience rapport command attention. His picking is superb, and he sings these gut level Memphis Blues and Delta type things with a voice that's both beautiful and funky. There should be creativity in music, and emotion and soul, and Gove's got 'em all. Harvey Magee - HANK MAGAZINE Gove's performance was truly outstanding. His dedication and cooperation make him a pleasure to work with, and as a musician he's one of the finest. Elianne Halbersberg - AUGUSTA COLLEGE Gove's voice is dark and deep, yet ready, unusually expressive. He avoids the extremes, the rock singer's aggressive bellow and the folksinger's monotone. He has impressive control over his performance; he knows exactly what he wants, and he produces it flawlessly. Gove's Southern accent is the right blend of gentle slur, for the blues, and nasality, for country songs. A. B. Thomas - RICHMOND TIMES DISPATCH Gove, as always you came through with a five star performance. John M. Lavery - Recording Division, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY You made a great evening for all of us, and your talent and personality is so uniquely suited to excite and entertain a student body. Hope we attract you back someday. H. C. Evans, Jr., President - LEES McRAE COLLEGE Gove is all motion and sensual vigor. He is a singer, he is a wit. Gove is a treat to see. Amorese - NORFOLK VIRGINIAN PILOT Most promising new solo act in the country. THE LAKELAND LEDGER Gove stole the show. Moore - ATHENS RED & BLACK He has great rapport with the audience, and this, coupled with his music ability, made for a great concert. LONGWOOD COLLEGE Show opener and show stopper. FOLK TRADITION Considering the mediocrities who sell out concerts and make gold records you've got to wonder what people like Gove Scrivenor are doing on top of pool tables. Thomas - RICHMOND TIMES DISPATCH