RANDY WEEKS
Madeline (Hightone Records)
Reviewed by David J. Klug

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Raised in southern Minnesota, Randy Weeks began sharpening his musical skills in Minneapolis before heading west to Los Angeles in the early 1980s. As co-founder of the Lonesome Strangers with Jeff Rymes in 1984, that band made roots rock influenced as much by punk as Bakersfield country. Peter Anderson and Bruce Bromberg produced their records, and the band secured opening slots for Dave Alvin and Dwight Yoakam along the way. Lonesome Strangers fizzled out in 1990 but returned with Land of Opportunity on Little Dog Records in 1994. Weeks continued to play with the Lonesome Strangers during a tour with Anderson in 1997, and contributed to a compilation, Will Sing For Food: The Songs of Dwight Yoakam, in 1998 and until the band broke up that year. Last year Weeks received a taste of the big time when Lucinda Williams recorded one of his songs, "Can't Let Go," for her Grammy-nominated Car Wheels On A Gravel Road (1998).

Madeline includes Weeks' own first-class version of "Can't Let Go," as well as many outstanding cuts: "Baby You Got To Choose," "Madeline," "Don't Step Away," "Last DWI," and "Countryside With You." It's a terrific roots rock record that often reminds of David Lindley's 1981 cult classic, El Rayo-X. Its funky pop swirls help make it one of the most enjoyable releases I've heard so far this year. The band includes guitarist Tony Gilkyson (X, Lone Justice), bassist Kip Boardman, and drummer Don Heffington (Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris). Additional musicians include Manny Gonzales (The Blazers), Ramsey Midwood, Phil Parlapiano (John Prine), Skip Edwards (Dwight Yoakam), and Hightone recording artist Teddy Morgan.

© 2000 - David J. Klug