Flying Burrito Brothers: California Jukebox (Ether)
One of the great brand names in country-rock music belongs to the Burritos, although most people choose to cherish the Gram Parsons-enhanced legend than embrace anything they’ve put out in the last 20 or so years. “California Jukebox” provides a highly entertaining sampling of Burrito influences and original ideas, most which can be traced to the group’s hippy-dippy roots in the Golden State. As usual, top-shelf pickers Pete Kleinow, Gib Guilbeau and John Beland lay the foundation for FBB’s hot neo-traditional sound, but it’s Larry Patton’s strong lead vocals that really add the punch to such nostalgia-soaked tunes as “San Fernando Road,” “California Jukebox” and the unrepentant “Tomorrow We’ll Do It Again” and “Willin’.” Also partaking in the fun are Joel Sonnier, Sonny Landreth, Al Perkins, Buck Owens (“Buckaroo”), Waylon Jennings (“I Ain’t Livin’ Long Like This”) and the great Charlie Louvin (“My Baby’s Gone”). To demonstrate that FBB has nothing against the new generation of alterna-country groups, so heavily influenced by founding member Parsons, the boys also cover the Jayhawks’ “Two Hearts” and Son Volt’s “Windfall.”