Sun stroked western, classic covers, cow punk damaged. Al may be the most under appreciated musician in the world: Growing up in the shithole that's west Phoenix he escaped to the friendlier weirdo environs of Tucson where his band The Hecklers ripped psychobilly on bills with hardcore bands 35 years ago. A few years later Al went solo, twangy garage with whatever locals he could round up as his band, The Cattle. The latter have included a range of talent, from obscure junkies to superstars like the Calexico guys. This is a collection of covers Al recorded in a Phoenix recording studio that seconds as a museum of sorts: A rare three track tape machine from the 50's that harkened the birth of multitrack recording, used by people like Nat King Cole and Elvis. Songs are almost all country classics, dear to Al's heart, odes to his past loves and downfalls (I would guess, I didnt ask him). Fantastic stuff. See also what I consider his, a, masterpiece, "Always a Pleasure" (2003).

1) (3:01) slow strummy bluesy, "just a girl I used to know" 2)* (3:04) upbeat western "cold hard facts of life" quintessential cheating wife story 3) (2:22) "don't like it but I guess things happen that way" 4) (2:18) slow bluesy "you're making plans to leave". 5)* (2:30) "talk back trembling lips", upbeat despite lyrics, kitty Wells made this famous 6) (3:12) 60's shuffle to this, "white satin bed" 7)* (3:36) "crazy heart" taken down to a slow blues walk 8) (2:35) upbeat "ol' what's hername" 9) (2:02) baritone plucky twang, upbeat "thinking mans woman" 10) (2:39) "if teardrops were pennies" upbeat 11)* (2:28) big doom blues, cover of Gun Club classic "fire of love", rare fade out 12)* (3:05) upbeat drinking song "told his baby goodbye" 13) (2:10) triplet waltz love song to "Julie", sad stuff, of course a double murder suicide ends this. 14) (2:49) bluesy twang "just because"