Steel Guitar Rodeo

Jon Rauhouse, Tommy Connell, and friends are back for another round of feel-good Hawaiian, country, and Western swing, coming on like a modern-day Speedy West & Jimmy Bryant. This is no stale homage to styles gone by; this is living, breathing music performed with such ease and aplomb that you can't help but enjoy it. They can even take material from outside the tradition like "Smoke Rings" (Les Paul & Mary Ford, Dajngo Reinhardt) and "White Cliffs of Dover" (Vera Lynn, Louis Prima) and fit them nicely alongside Rauhouse originals. And from even further outside the tradition, you've got "Perry Mason Theme" and Raymond Scott's classic "Powerhouse." Several Bloodshot stalwarts (Neko Case, Sally Timms, Kelly Hogan) pay Rauhouse back for his myriad guest shots, supplying some vocals to this largely instrumental set. Put this on at your next summer party, and you won't be able to wipe the smiles off peoples' faces. ~ Sean Westergaard