From Austin to Boston (Vol. 2 or 3)

Tony Peyser
Mirror contributing writer
  
   At Austin’s Music Awards last month, Gurf Morlix was inducted into the Hall Of Fame. But Southern California can hog some of the credit for the accomplished producer’s stunning third solo album, Cut ‘N Shoot. Morlix was living out here years ago when he wrote many of these heartfelt songs, which were inspired by the holy country trinity of Lefty (Frizzell), Hank (Williams) and Merle (Haggard.) Morlix plays guitar, steel guitar, bass, drums, percussion, banjo, mandolin and organ. He also mixed, mastered, engineered, produced the album and co-wrote all but one of the songs. The term “one-man band” has rarely been so apt. The robust second track mixes humor and heartbreak and has this inspired opening line: “Were you lying down when you stood me up?” In “Yesterday She Didn’t,” Morlix sweetly concocts a musical equivalent to the old she-loves-me-she-loves-me-not flower picking game. “Where There Is Smoke” poignantly pokes around for sparks in the embers of a dying love. The chilling last track, “They’re Hangin’ Me Tonight,” is a cover of a 1959 Marty Robbins song from Gunfighter Ballads & Trail Songs —- the first album Morlix ever bought. It’s easy to imagine some young boy (or girl) will buy Cut ‘N Shoot and be similarly inspired to pursue a musical career.
   The front man for Ken Layne & The Corvids is a rather well-known internet journalist. In the early 1980s, Layne wrote songs for The Outriders, his SoCal roots rock band. He also sang on an early album by that sublime goofball, Mojo Nixon. So, how is Fought Down? Real good. This is raw-edged, ramshackle alt-country with a busted taillight. “Worried” is one of the catchiest singles I’ve heard this year, a perfect selection to play on the you-just-got-jilted-jukebox. It’s only blog & roll but I like it.
   I got stuck in a traffic jam for 40 minutes in Laurel Canyon but didn’t mind a second of it because I was listening to Ohio-based Moviola’s East Of Eager. This is indie pop with punch. “Kew Garden Hills” is as good as a smile from an old friend and the gentle “The Ghost Of Daniel Boone” practically defies gravity.
   On April 25th, Catie Curtis is at McCabe’s. Her swoony new album, Dreaming In Romance Languages, further explains why this Boston-based singer-songwriter has the following she does. Curtis co-wrote “The Trouble You Bring” with band member Jimmy Ryan, who did memorable work with The Blood Oranges in the early 1990s. Guitarist Kevin Barry gives this song a hypnotic spell like he was auditioning for a slot with Dire Straits. And Curtis —- who made lots of fans during the Lilith Fair festivals —- has a vocal that manages to make romantic resignation seem hopelessly sexy.
   Miles Of Music has Cut ‘N Shoot for $15.49, Fought Down for $11.99, East Of Eager for $14.99 and Dreaming In Romance Languages for $14.99.
   * In honor of Dubya, The Goofy Song Name Of The Week is from Morlix’s first solo album … I Blunder On.