Un “Sung Stories”
Liberation Hall, 2023
8/10
The frontman for the legendary outfit The Blasters, this debut solo album from Phil Alvin arrived in 1986, and it’s full of songs penned and recorded between 1925-1953, where some significant names are present for the 10 tracks.
“Someone Stole Gabriel’s Horn” begins the listen with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band’s dynamic and rich horns, where Lee Allen’ tenor sax playing is quite inviting amid Alvin’s soulful pipes, and “Next Week Some Time” follows with Alvin’s warm guitar playing populating the vivid storytelling of the bare climate.
The middle track belongs to “The Old Man Of The Mountain”, where Sun Ra And The Arkestra bring their brass, winds and exciting drumming to the old time feel of the album’s best, while “Daddy Rollin’ Stone” places Mike Roach and Gary Masi on guitar, David Carroll on drums, Gary Taylor on bass and Gene Taylor on piano for the vintage rock’n’roll spirit.
Closer to the end, “Collins Cave” pairs Alvin’s guitar alongside Richard Greene’s poetic violin via the intimate delivery, and “Gangstar’s Blues” exits with just guitar and flowing vocals for the timeless blues appeal.
The Liberation Hall label also reissued Mandatory: The Best Of The Blasters recently, and this is an excellent companion disc that’s sure warranted seeing as how Alvin’s influence is more apparent than ever.
Travels well with: The Blasters- Mandatory: The Best Of The Blasters; Dave Alvin- From An Old Guitar: Rare And Unreleased Recordings