Pleasure Barons
Live in Las Vegas (Hightone) (STAR)(STAR) 1/2
This wild-eyed supergroup-fronted by Beat Farmers’ Country Dick Montana, the Blasters’ Dave Alvin and Mojo Nixon-probably will never stand beside Cream in the rock Hall of Fame, if it ever gets built, but their music definitely will get your toes a-tapping. Not quite recorded live in Vegas, despite the album’s title, the Pleasure Barons’ debt to the giants of Strip showroom acts is paid in “The Definitive Tom Jones Medley,” Nixon’s prophetic “Elvis Is Everywhere” and retro covers of “Amos Moses,” “Games People Play” and “Take a Letter Maria.” Although the Barons’ rollicking approach to less-than-immortal top-40 music is a bit too arch at times, it’s always a delight to hear Alvin sing-and the good-time feelings flow easily throughout this brassy, energetic revue.
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