Trax
11/15/2007
ERIN MCKEOWN, Lafayette (Signature Sounds): New England singer-songwriter Erin McKeown recorded this live set at Joe’s Pub in NYC in January, around the time she released her Tin Pan Alleytribute album “Sing You Sinners.” “Lafayette,” which recasts songs from throughout her career in bigger band settings, more effectively harnesses McKeown’s genuine enthusiasm and vocal quirks, with the help of a terrific ensemble that includes a horn section and invaluable bassist Todd Sickafoose and drummer Allison Miller, who steer shifting folk, jazz, ragtime and rockabilly rhythms with steady aplomb. Standout tracks include the kicky “Melody,” “James!” and audience sing-along “We Are More.” Playing Hotel Café in Hollywood, Friday. www.erinmckeown.com
SONES DE MÉXICO ENSEMBLE CHICAGO, Esta Tierra es Tuya (self-produced): A sweetly surprising collection of Mexican son that’s utterly traditional — performed on more than 50 acoustic instruments, all identified on an illustrated insert — yet topical enough to be dedicated to family, friends and fans for whom immigration’s more than a political debate. (Note the title track, a jaunty, Norteño-style rendition of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land.”) Surrounding expertly performed nuggets like “Yo Vendo Unos Ojos Negros” and “La Llorona” (orchestrated with horns) are a delirious version of Led Zeppelin’s “Four Sticks” performed on indigenous percussion (with a sly nod to spaghetti westerns) and a wonderful son jarocho adaptation of the second movement from Bach’s Brandenberg Concerto No. 3.
TOM GILLAM , Never Look Back (Treehouse): A road-scarred survivor of the Philly rock scene, Gillam almost didn’t get to make this album after being sidelined by three heart attacks last year. Happily, he rebounded, and the music here pulses with wry humor and a dogged belief in the value of life and love — even when the latter kicks you to the curb. Onstage, Gillam looks like an unrepentant holdover from Ozzy Osbourne’s glory days, but loose-limbed, guitar-churning rockers like “Another Break-up Song” and “Devil in My Heart” and midtempo “I Ain’t Waiting” are reminiscent of classic Joe Walsh, while the slow-burning “Where is Bobbie Gentry?” unleashes Gillam’s inner bluesman. It’s a smoking highlight on a solid platter of roadhouse soul.
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