My America 3: My Country
Basset Hound, 2025
8/10
Listen to My America 3: My Country
The jazz tuba wizard Jim Self returns with a 24th release, where country ideas enter the 11 songs that welcome a large cast.
“Chompin’ At The Bit” opens with Self’s animated tuba alongside Johh Chiodini’s soaring electric guitar and Joe La Barbera’s frisky drums, and “Wasbashed” follows with a more subdued approach thanks to Phil Feather’s well timed alto sax and Chris Woods’ quick fiddle.
In the middle, “Rocky Top” is a speedy moment via Doug Livinston’s radiant pedal guitar and Mike Valerio’s precise bass, while “The Devil Went Down…” benefits much from Kyle Palmer’s energetic trumpet and Steve Marsh’s colorful tenor sax.
Landing close to the end, “Folsom Prison Line” makes great use of Bill Booth’s soulful trombone and Bill Cunliffe’s strategic keys, and “I Cant’ Stop Loving You/Dog Tags” exits with the keys and tuba interacting with much intimacy via the heartfelt finish.
You might be familiar with many of these songs, but they’ve never sounded like this, as Self and company put their own jazz/Americana spin on classics with a very fun and intriguing appeal.
Travels well with: Jim Self & John Chiodini Quintet- Touch And Go; The Jim Self/John Chiodini Duo- Feels So Good