BLACKY RANCHETTE
Still Lookin' Good To Me (Thrill Jockey)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

---

Introducing a soft guitar strumming tune with a trumpet fanfare and a bowling strike shouldn't really work, but we are talking about one Howe Gelb folks. "My Hoo Ha" is about the sweetest two minutes you're likely to spend: Gelb's plaintiff dusty vocal melting with Chan (Cat Power) Marshall's "hey hon, you have to hush" lullaby refrain. For those who thought Gelb had reached his nadir with The Listener are in for a treat. Apart from the usual suspects (Calexico) helping out there's a bevy of well placed alt-country talent gracing this disc. Richard Buckner, Neko Case, Jon Rauhouse - folks like that. In spite of the comings and goings on, this is one coherent disc, with a wonderful southern comfort feel. Gelb just keeps upping the ante.

© 2004 - John Sekerka