Trax
By Bliss 03/04/2010
GREAT AMERICAN TAXI, Reckless Habits (Thirty Tigers):
(4 stars out of 5)
The jamband faves liberally reference forebearers like Gram Parsons, Wilco and the Grateful Dead throughout this infectious set produced by Railroad Earth’s Tim Carbone. Roadhouse rhythms percolate comfortably beneath barrelhouse piano and zippy pedal steel while ex-Leftover Salmon frontman Vince Herman’s lived-in vocals add warmth to tracks like the Little Feat-ish “One of These Days” and “New Millennium Blues” (“Mama’s got two jobs and Daddy’s got three/ Trying to raise enough bread just to make ends meet”). At the Mint in LA Wednesday. www.greatamericantaxi.com.
THE WATSON TWINS, Talking to You, Talking to Me (Vanguard):
(3 stars out of 5)
Kentucky-raised sibs Chandra and Leigh Watson turn to Southern soul for a sonic reboot; the change isn’t in their smooth singing but the rhythm and reverb-enhanced settings, particularly the subtle grooves and bluesy keyboard riffs of “Midnight,” “Forever Me,” “U N Me” and “Devil in You.” Despite some forgettable filler, the disc, produced by Everest’s Russell Pollard and J. Soda, showcases their sultry, original sound; hopefully their next outing will sport more consistently memorable material. At Largo in LA March 11. www.thewatsontwins.com.
RICH MCCULLEY, Starting All Over Again (self-released):
(3.5 stars out of 5)
Pop fans with a taste for strong hooks and choruses should find plenty to savor on McCulley’s newest platter. Dedicated to close friends Amy Farris and Duane Jarvis, both of whom died last year, the disc neatly balances somber undertones and upbeat melodies. Highlights: “Tell Me, I’m Listening” (co-written with Jarvis and Todd Herfindal), “Not the One” and “Who’ll Hang the Moon (Song for DJ)” (co-written with Grant Langston) and the title track (co-written with Justyna Kelley). At Culver City’s Cinema Bar Friday. www.richmcculley.com.
THE CHIEFTAINS featuring RY COODER, San Patricio (Hear Music/Concord):
(4.5 stars out of 5)
Leave it to the Chieftains to resurrect San Patricios, Irish Americans who defended Mexico in the Mexican-American War, for a singularly inspired project. Partnering with Ry Cooder along with Lila Downs, Los Cenzontles, Linda Ronstadt, Los Tigres del Norte, Van Dyke Parks, Liam Neeson, Moya Brennan and Carlos Nuñez, among others, Paddy Moloney & Clan deftly weave Celtic jigs and instruments with Galician and Mexican pipe music, mariachi, ranchera, bolero, son jarocho and sundry forms of traditional Mexican folk to explore common ground connecting seemingly unrelated cultures. www.thechieftains.com.
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