Fish, Snakes & Books

Tony Peyser
Mirror contributing writer

   Gurf Morlix played on and produced the early Lucinda Williams albums that launched her career. His second solo effort is Fishin’ In the Muddy, a swampy, bluesy delight. “Torn In Two” depicts heartbreak set to a gentle back beat with a low-key vocal that soars in the chorus. With any luck, this will get Morlix some airplay and I wouldn’t be surprised to hear it covered in years to come. The same applies to the jangling “Center Of The Universe” which feels like an obscure Byrds track on a CD that’s only available as an insanely expensive Japanese import. “Your Picture” is an intoxicating (and perhaps intoxicated) song about a guy who may be reading a bit much into the title object he’s received. He’s so obsessive, you keep the expecting the verse which refers to the restraining order. And you’ve got to love Morlix for putting this advisory in the CD notes: “No musicians were harmed in the making of this album.”
   Like Morlix, Stephen Bruton is an ace Texas guitarist-producer. His new album, Spirit World is both witty and gritty. “You’re crazy as an acre of snakes” is an old Lone Star saying. Bruton’s “Acre Of Snakes” is based on an encounter with an unhinged fan: “She wasn’t really smiling/She’s only showing me her teeth … ” Bruton’s voice and bluesy guitar here are reminiscent of Mark Knopfler and his old band, Dire Straits. “Make That Call” is a lazy, late night boogie that might turn up on a John Hiatt or Sonny Landreth album, which makes sense since Bruton’s worked with each of them.
   Singer-songwriter Jim Roll hooked up with a pair of authors —- Rick Moody (“The Ice Storm”) and Denis Johnson (“Jesus’ Son”) —- and collaborated on a collection of songs. The end result is Inhabiting The Ball, a rootsy and fairly remarkable album. “You” is melodically mournful and lyrically touching with a line that anyone whoever has had his heart broken will silently nod to: “I saw you at the end/of every street.” The ragged sixth song, “Blue Guitar,” is as good as anything The Jayhawks ever recorded. However, skip the title track which fortunately is short but unfortunately comes first. Punctuated with news and commercial snippets, it’s so odd that you may not want to hear the rest of the album and that would be a pity. This is the Chicago-born Roll’s third album and he and his literary pals have come up with something truly, uh, novel.
   Miles Of Music has Fishin’ In The Muddy for $13.50, Spirit World for $14 and Inhabiting The Ball for $13.50.
   Do not miss a rare Westside appearance by alt-country specialist Chris Gaffney at The Cinema Bar on March 20. If his pal Dave Alvin is the de facto King Of California, then Gaffney is his Lt. Governor. Bruton will be at McCabe’s on March 23, the same night George Thorogood will be at the House Of Blues. Playing guitar with Mr. Bad To The Bone is Jim Suhler, who (with his band Monkey Beat) made one of my favorite blues albums from last year, the very good Bad Juju. And finally, Gingersol is also playing that night at Taix Lounge.
   The Goofy Band Name Of The Week is … All Else Failed.