Rhumba Country
New West, 2024
9/10
The inimitable artist Pokey LaFarge has seen the highs and lows during his colorful career, and here he focuses on joy for 10 new songs that welcome a large cast to his nostalgic and playful formula.
“One You, One Me” starts the listen with warm keys and playful drums, where LaFarge’s raw vocals and Elliot Bergman’s well timed mellotron make an impression, and “For A Night” follows with a frisky spirit, as Hank Mehren’s skilled organ and Jonny Flaugher’s plucked bass are infectious.
Landing in the middle, “Sister Andre” is a soulful moment, where contributions on electric guitar from Chris Seefried help cultivate a harmonic album highlight, while “So Long Chicago” carries a retro appeal that benefits much from Erik Miron’s electric guitar and much rhythm.
Closer to the end, “Home Home Home” places Alex Hall on drums, Beau Sample on upright bass and Scott Ligon on electric guitar, which suits Casey McDonough’s harmony vocals via the gentle mood, and “You Make My Garden Grow” exits with a country demeanor that’s eloquent, touching and clearly shows LaFarge at a good place in his life.
Somewhere between folk, country, swing, jazz, rockabilly and rumba, LaFarge is always unpredictable and exceptional, and now married and a working on a farm has allowed his songwriting to enter new areas that we will all enjoy.
Travels well with: Pernice Brothers- Who Will You Believe; The Nude Party- Rides On