DAVE RAWLINGS MACHINE – FRIEND OF A FRIEND

For so long now, Dave Rawlings has earned his applause as the famed partner and box-guitar whiz of Gillian Welch. Now as he steps up to the microphones for his first record under his own name, we get to revel anew in the peculiar magic that he brings to his own and other peoples’ material. Rawlings’ distinct, feathery drawl is as charming as ever in a lead-vocalist capacity, and startlingly melodic. Welch of course joins him on backing vocals for much of the album, and they have a great time of weaving their trademark American Vintage harmonies through a series of joyous covers and some bluegrass originals.  I Hear Them All sees him channel the rambling poet within, and the whimsical tin-can hoedown Sweet Tooth showcases Rawling’s spectacular bluegrass guitar work and the duo’s electric vocal chemistry. The best moments here are the heart-stopping renderings of the Dave Rawlings/Ryan Adams argument-settler To Be Young… and an unexpected, thrilling medley of Bright Eyes’ Method Acting and old Shakey’s Cortez The Killer. This is a rapturous record to break the hardest of hearts.

****1/2