From An Old Guitar: Rare And Unreleased Recordings
Yep Roc, 2020
9/10
Listen to From An Old Guitar: Rare And Unreleased Recordings
It’s been over a decade since the Grammy winner, guitarist and singer-songwriter Dave Alvin has released a solo album, and he makes the wait worth it as he collects 16 rare and unreleased tunes for us here, where Greg Leisz (electric guitar), Gregory Boaz (bass), and Don Heffington (drums) are in attendance.
Alvin starts the listen with the warm Americana of “Link Of Chain”, where his inimitable pipes are exceptionally expressive, and this formula carries to the rootsy rock of the Bob Dylan cover “Highway 61 Revisited”, where spoken word guides the rugged landscape, as well as the acoustic guitar and strategic piano of the emotive “Amanda”.
Halfway through, “On My Way Downtown” offers an upbeat country track with aching pedal steel amid a shuffling pace, while “Inside” moves gently with subtle female vocals aiding Alvin’s soulful singing in the reflective climate. “Peace”, one of the album’s best, then takes nods to classic rock with plenty of rhythm and blues.
Deeper still, “Dynamite Woman” recruits some honky tonk spirit in its breezy, dance friendly melodies, and “Signal Hill Blues” exits the listen with no lack of grooves populating its soaring blues nature.
These tunes were originally recorded for tribute albums, Alvin’s own albums, or just because the mood was right, and they span a wide array of rock, country, folk, blues and embrace both balladry and bar rockers. If you’re a longtime fan, this is absolutely essential, and for the first time listener it’s a hell of a place to start as Alvin is in fine form with his old, beat up guitars sounding just as comforting, rowdy and memorable as ever.
Travels well with: The Long Ryders- Psychedelic Country Soul; Steve Earle & The Dukes- Ghosts Of West Virginia