Trax
By Bliss 07/17/2008
WILLIE NELSON & WYNTON MARSALIS, Two Men With the Blues
(Blue Note) (4 stars out of 5)
Country titan Nelson’s vocal and guitar phrasing owes as much to jazz as Hank Williams, a fact underscored hearing him toy with time while surrounded by Marsalis’ liberated crew (and longtime harmonica player Mickey Raphael, uncharacteristically restrained) on this unpretentious enterprise, taken from a 2007 Jazz at Lincoln Center concert. It’s feel-good country-New-Orleans-roadhouse-swinging blues, with everyone strutting their stuff on chestnuts by Jimmy Reed, Hoagy Carmichael, Merle Travis and Nelson himself. It ain’t perfect, but it’s winning, thanks to the unadulterated joy of music, sans boundaries, expressed by the players. www.willienandwynton.com.
LOWEN & NAVARRO, Learning to Fall (Red Hen) (3 stars out of 5)
Renowned as songwriters of Pat Benatar’s “We Belong,” Lowen & Navarro held fans’ enduring loyalty over their 20-year folk-rock career. So Eric Lowen’s candor about his struggle with Lou Gehrig’s disease is no surprise; what’s surprising is how these songs avoid bathos. Lowen sings with clarity and passion, and he and Dan Navarro utilize the situation as a filter for distilling uplifting life lessons. The deeply poignant title track, “One Last Chance” and “Smile of a Worried Man” brim with reflective wisdom and sweet, stirring harmonies. Downloadable at www.lownav.com.
THE REAL TUESDAY WELD, The End of the World (Six Degrees) (2.5 stars out of 5)
Ostensibly a live performance by a band — UK singer-songwriter Stephen Coates is the Real Tuesday Weld, although he’s supported here by a small combo — at a mythical London nightspot, this hushed, purposely mysterious affair combines Coates’ Serge Gainsbourg-meets-Billie Holiday vocals with strings, organ, dreamy vibes and supposed applause. Shtick aside, it’s strangely suspenseful in its evocation of romantic longing and ’30s-era jazz. At California Plaza Friday, July 18. www.tuesdayweld.com.
REX MOROUX, These Bricks Are Bleeding (333 Entertainment) (2.5 stars out of 5)
On this gratifyingly dynamic set, Louisianan Moroux ranges from the knowing, catchy pop of “Cabernet” to John Doe-style roots-rock (“Whatcha Doin’ Downtown?”), bared-heart piano balladry (“Chicago”), acidic Southern story songs (“Amos McMillan”) and atmospheric rockers (“I Saw Your Ghost”) with a lyrical eye and ear for character and unexpected scenarios. Recommended for fans of Paul Thorn and Marc Cohn. At Hotel Café Monday. www.myspace.com/rexmorouxmusic.
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