JON RAUHOUSE
Steel Guitar Air Show (Bloodshot)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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Jon Rauhouse is a gambling man. Imagine recording some Hawaiian steel guitar music and having the gall to release it on the unsuspecting public? Perchance the time is right, and even though I may be prejudiced against the twangy shrill of said instrument, there is no denying the flare in Rauhouse's presentation. With Calexico as the rhythm section and golden throats Neko Case, Kelly Hogan and Sally Timms helping out, there really is no reason not to fall under the magic spell of the lounge exotica so successfully mined by Arthur Lyman back in the day. Rauhouse updates the classic sound without straying too far from the real thing. And the versions of "Lonely Bull" and "Perfidia" (both accentuated lovingly with vocals) may stand as new plateaus. There's even a nice little ode to the great Don Ho, complete with a formal introduction snaffooed direct from the islands. Very nice. Now all we need is Hawaii 5-O reruns: book 'em Danno! Okay I'll stop now.

© 2002 - John Sekerka