This is basically Giant Sand/Howie Gelb/Calexico in collaboration with all-stars such as Neko Case, M. Ward, Granddaddy, Cat Power. Twangy, upbeat, near-experimental western, alt.folk whatchamacallit thingamajig. “Blacky Ranchette” has been an occasional side project of Gelb for upwards of 20 years now. This latest endeavor mixes low-fi hand-held, live, home, and excellent studio recordings. The take home message is that Howie Gelb has attained god-like perfection in everything he does. The fact that the all-stars and his longtime bandmates John and Joey (Calexico) only add to it all. Undeniably majestic.

1) upbeat western ballad, classic twangy Gelb, Calexico drumming
2) lo-fi solo guit+vocs
3) M Ward on guitar, folky western ballad
4) Neko Case singing backup, upbeat western epic
5) brushed drums western, Richard Buckner, Neko Case singing, beautiful exotic flare with accordion, upright bass, piano
6) twangy guit+vocs ballad
7) Granddaddy collaboration: “I’ve been working on the railroad” medly, upbeat ditty
8) upbeat western
9) Kurt Wagner (Lambchop) on vocs, recorded outside Nashville airport, complete with a cop interrupting the recording
10) cowboy song, shine your boots and grab your honey, Neko Case on backups
11) upbeat stripped down twang duo with John
12) mostly piano solo ballad
13) upbeat guit ballad with Cat Power singing sorta too, mild bolero style guit
14) basically giant sand, live recording, big room sound, upbeat with great bass bowing, awesome, with sample music at end