trageser.com
Music Review

Home
Computers
Book Reviews and Reading Diary
CD Buying Guide and Music Links
Best-of lists
CD Reviews
CDs, sorted by Style
CDs, sorted by year issued
CDs, sorted by publication review ran in
CDs by San Diego bands
All CDs, sorted by band name
All CDs, sorted by album title
Interviews
Favorite quotations
Contact Me



Solo ex-Blaster still the goods

Blue Blvd.
Blue Blvd.
By Dave Alvin

HighTone Records: 1991


This review first appeared in the Sept. 25, 1991 issue of the East County Express Line.

Dave Alvin has always had more than a touch of country in his soul. Now solo, Alvin's second album features music combining more of that country feel with a small dose of R&B – closer to his work with L.A. rockabilly kings the Blasters than his first album.

This melding of country and R&B makes for an interesting experiment, as well as a highly listenable effort, featuring as it does guest appearances by everyone from country star Dwight Yoakum to folkie Kathy Moffatt to R&B singers Bobby King and Terry Evans.

There aren't too many weak points on "Blue Blvd." All of the compositions are attractive, Alvin's guitar work is still riveting, and the band is tight. The best song of a good batch may be a tribute to rock pioneer Bill Haley, "Haley's Comet."