The problem I have this week is plenty of great new music but not enough time to give it justice. One of the interesting new releases is a record from Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women. Dave Alvin recently lost friend and bandmate Chris Gaffney, seeing as it was too early to go on with his old band The Guilty Men he hooked up with a bunch of women instead and altered the name somewhat. I think it altered his sound a bit too. The Guilty Women are Cindy Cashdollar, Nina Gerber, Christy McWilson, Laurie Lewis, Amy Farris, Sarah Brown, Lisa Pankratz, and special guests Marcia Ball and Suzy Thompson.

Dave Alvin once said, “There are two types of folk music: quiet folk music and loud folk music. I play both.” And while Dave Alvin can rock the telecaster with the best of them on here he’s let the women’s softer side take center stage. On “Potter’s Field” the Guilty Women let their harmony vocals wash over a song about a final resting place where peace and tranquility reign. Pre-order the new record here.

Dave Alvin

Potter’s Field

Bonus mp3 from Dave Alvin’s Chris Gaffney tribute (also out May 21)

King Of The Blues