American Cosmic Revival Vol. 2: Miles From Nowhere
This showcase features musicians who play & maintain the inspiration & tradition of artists who contributed to the California country movement. The LP includes many covers by Gram Parsons, Chris Hillman, The Byrds, & the Flying Burrito Brothers. There are songs by songwriters with familiar names like Boudleaux & Felice Bryant, Gene Clark, Vern Gosdin, Don & Phil Everly, Merle Haggard, Bob Dylan, Rodney Crowell & Jagger-Richards.
There are 12 trips down memory lane with the veteran musicians (Ball/Cleary/Maness & Parker) that make up the American Cosmic Revival Vol. 2: Miles From Nowhere (Drops Aug 21/SubCat Records/Edgewater Music Group/ 40:33) produced by Christian Parker (acoustic & electric guitars/vocals) & Patrick Cleary (acoustic & electric guitars/vocals). The irony about the California Country movement is that this musical endeavor was recorded pristinely in Syracuse, NY. I’m sure the spirit is authentic. But where’s Buck Owens?
The opening tune has all the harmonic bluster & unified vocals on the Parsons-Hillman track “Wheels.” Loaded with pedal steel clarity & fine production values. Nothing’s schlocky. It’s in the style blended with the Flying Burrito Brothers, if not a little Goose Creek Symphony. The vocals are obviously the focus & while there’s a little retro fascination in its circuitry they siphon off in small doses some invigorating forays into old-California commercial country. “Brand New Heartache” is a Boudleaux & Felice Bryant piece & the band has captured the Everly Brothers vocal formality impressively.
This isn’t the more progressive country of The Eagles or the more enduring Seatrain (“Rondo”) approach. These guys are Country Gentlemen with rural instrumental fire. It isn’t a blaze but a well-controlled burn. Some songs shine brighter than others, but the musicality is steadily conveyed throughout. Closer to the Goose Creek ensemble of Charlie Gearheart is the Gene Clark/Bernie Leadon jewel “Train Leaves Here This Morning” & The Everly Brothers’ “So Sad.” Perfection.
It was reported that jazz sax great Charlie Parker once stood by a jukebox in a bar & inserted coins. He played country songs. One of his musicians came up & asked him why he was playing that stuff. Charlie said, “Listen to the stories, man, just listen to the stories.”
That’s what this showcase possesses. Well-written country stories & the band spit polishes & buffs each one. In some cases, the band elevates these commercial country songs beyond their mainstream level & embellishes them with respect. This is an entertaining set. No pop additives.
Highlights – “Wheels,” “Brand New Heartache,” “There Must Be Someone,” “So Sad,” & “If We Make It Through December.”
Musicians – Earl Poole Ball (piano), Jay Dee Maness, Gary Jacob & Tracer James (pedal steel guitars), Jennifer Kessler (vocals), Ron Keck (drums), Michael Rinne (electric & upright bass), Stevie Blacke (strings) & Joe Thomas (Rhodes piano).
Image courtesy of Christian Parker’s Facebook. CD @ Amazon & Apple + https://christianparker.com/