David Lindley is probably most well known for being in Jackson Browne's touring band, but as talented a backing musician as he is, his real forte is world music. Now, I don't mean that bland blend where everything exciting is leached out and you're left with inoffensive mush -- David has travelled the world (Madagascar, for instance) to play with the best traditional musicians. The albums pictured here aren't in that camp, however. These are mostly oldies and originals with a reggae beat, irie. And what a hoot -- "Mercury Blues" on "El-Rayo X" charges out of the gate with pure adrenalized slide guitar, then you get the ska/Tex-Mex version of "Twist and Shout". This is music played for sheer love of music. They're all highly recommended -- "Very Greasy" has the 'hits' "Werewolves of London" and "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" but they're all great --- and try to track down the live disc. Varying quality, but some real barn burners on there.
My wife and I saw David Lindley in all his greasy polyester glory play in a bar in Bellingham many many years ago (with his band El-Rayo X) and it still stands in the Top Ten Best Concerts EVER.
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