Always a Pleasure

The Godfather of Tucson desert rock, backed by Calexico. Twangy simple western flavored songsmithing with trademark Calexico drums, bass and even a track with Mariachi style horns. 22 years ago with Giant Sand were still The Giant Sandworms with dreams of alterna-rock fame and fortune, Al was brewing bent western psychobilly desert rock with his band The Hecklers. Fast forward: Howe Gelb and Calexico wear the media crown of the Tucson scene (where is that Bob Log anyway?) but locals and insiders know that Al Perry inherited the real crown with the passing of Rainer. Al's been quite prolific over the years, self-releasing fine 7"s and records, and remains a pillar in Tucson. His songs are simple, to the point, pleasant without falling into the trappings of brooding self-indulgence which indie rockers with a twang are compelled to do. Al's the real thing. Every track on this cd is a winner as Al's sound compliments naturally with Calexico's (check track 10 especially). And his re-working of the punk band Bloodspasm's classic ode to Tucson "We Got Cactus" is a must play (track 11)!!!

1) upbeat, pleasant, sweet love song, awww!
2) heavy swingy beat, great chorus hook, dark w/ Al's trademark searing guitar leads
3) upbeat sweet love song
4) wow- melt a girl's heart right here! title track
5) slower swingy bluesy western instrumental jam
6) upbeat, great, reminds me of Emmy Lou or something classic I cant pinpoint
7) surfy 50's boogie blues feel- sly poke at makeup and excessive fashion
8) upbeat, nice feel, another love song
9) deeper swing honkey tonk guitar instrumental
10) very Calexico inn drums, the Mariachi horns seal this as "Calexico with Al Perry singing and kicking serious guitar butt" - fantastic
11) upbeat country: ode to Tucson originally penned and written as a hardcore punk song by the band Bloodspasm, a perfect description of Tucson.