Scarlet Rivera, the distinctive violinist renowned for her work on Bob Dylan’s 1976 album Desire and the legendary Rolling Thunder Revue tour, has joined the Steve Bardwil Band on their new album Stardust in Disguise, contributing to two tracks while also preparing for her own upcoming solo release, Wildfire reported.
The Bottom Line
- Scarlet Rivera performs on two songs, “The Way You Look at Things” and “Scarecrow Dreams,” on the Steve Bardwil Band’s new album Stardust in Disguise.
- The collaboration follows Bardwil’s creative inspiration drawn from viewing the Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown and Martin Scorsese’s Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story.
- Rivera is concurrently preparing for the release of her own solo album titled Violin Violin in February, having already dropped singles “Blessed” and “Lifeline.”
Connecting Past and Present Through Collaborative Roots
The collaboration between Rivera and the Steve Bardwil Band emerged after Bardwil immersed himself in mid-1970s Dylan lore. Following a viewing of the biopic A Complete Unknown and Martin Scorsese’s documentary Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story, Bardwil wrote the track “Scarecrow Dreams” and vocalized a desire to feature Rivera’s signature violin work. As Wildfire reported, a chance encounter at a charity event aligned their schedules, leading to Rivera recording parts not only for “Scarecrow Dreams” but also for the track “The Way You Look at Things” under the production of Grammy winner Joe Chiccarelli.
The deluxe edition of Stardust in Disguise features an extended version of “Scarecrow Dreams,” capping the track with a two-minute instrumental finale driven by Rivera’s violin and Aaron Leibowitz’s saxophone. The album’s opening track, “Falling for Forever,” incorporates Max Butler’s Farfisa organ sounds and Leibowitz’s flute, establishing a distinct 1960s and early ’70s pop aesthetic. Another standout, “If I Had My Way,” drew praise from community housing advocates at Habitat for Humanity in Daytona Beach for its positive message.
Rivera’s Solo Projects and Expanding Discography
Alongside her contributions to the Steve Bardwil Band, Rivera maintains a robust recording schedule. Her upcoming solo project, Violin Violin, is slated for release next February. Two tracks from the project have already been issued: an edgy blues number titled “Blessed,” co-written with Jeff Silbar, and an up-tempo country-leaning single titled “Lifeline.” Rivera’s recording footprint also extends to Ali Handal’s recent album Slow Burn, where her violin is featured on the song “Perennial.”
| Project/Album | Artist | Rivera’s Contribution / Key Tracks | Production Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stardust in Disguise | Steve Bardwil Band | Violin on “The Way You Look at Things” and “Scarecrow Dreams” | Produced by Joe Chiccarelli |
| Violin Violin | Scarlet Rivera | Upcoming solo release featuring singles “Blessed” and “Lifeline” | — |
| Slow Burn | Ali Handal | Featured violin on the song “Perennial” | — |
Reflecting on her foundational era, Rivera noted her early associations with Bob Dylan during the Desire sessions—an 8-minute masterpiece including the Top 40 hit “Hurricane” that raised awareness around the wrongful conviction of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter. Decades later, that same violin phrasing continues to find a home in contemporary independent releases.
