Sunday, March 30, 2008
A+E, Music, Reviews

Gary Louris

“Vagabonds”  (Rykodisc)

CREDIT: Courtesy of Russell Carter Artist Management

GARY LOURIS
w/Vetiver
Saturday, April 5
Variety Playhouse
$20                                                                                                                 
404-524-7354
www.variety-playhouse.com
It’s no secret that Gary Louris has been influenced by Buffalo Springfield—he covered “Expecting to Fly” on the Jayhawks’ last tour—so it’s little surprise his debut solo release echoes aspects of that quintessentially West Coast folk-rock outfit. The stripped-down, predominantly acoustic approach here references the dreamier aspects of the Neil Young-Stephen Stills-Richie Furay catalog.
   
What’s unexpected, though, is that this introspective set is produced by Chris Robinson. The Black Crowes are many things, but subtle is not typically one of them. Yet this relaxed album resonates with floating, near wispy material and a decidedly non-rock vibe. Crying pedal steel embellishes the pensive mood on songs such as “To Die a Happy Man” and the opening “True Blue,” the most Jayhawks-styled entry.
   
Backing vocals by the ad-hoc “Laurel Canyon Family Choir,” which includes Robinson, Bangle Susanna Hoffs, Jenny Lewis and Vetiver’s Andy Cabic, among others, adds a cool, often dramatic hint of gospel on tracks like the Beatle-ish “We’ll Get By,” the self-explanatory “I Wanna Get High” and the sweeping title tune.
   
“Vagabonds” gains momentum, if not volume, as you sink into its somewhat lazy groove. The layered instruments gradually peek out of the mix as the material and the singer’s voice balance poignant lyrics with equally affecting melodies. Louris sounds relaxed and confident in these bucolic surroundings. And while little here recalls the Jayhawks, fans of that band—and Buffalo Springfield—will enjoy this set for what it is; a lovely reminder that the legacy of California dreaming remains alive and well. 3 STARS—Hal Horowitz