Customer Reviews

I-10 Chronicles 2: One More for the Road

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As with the prior "I-10" compilation, this disc is an excellent collection of tunes that tell interesting stories and generally capture the spirit of traveling across the USA out on the open road. It has more of a consistently country-rock feel than volume one, especially the Flying Burrito flavored version of "The Window Up Above" by Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen. Still, there are also seasonings of Tex-Mex, Southern gospel, old fashioned rock 'n' roll, and other good stuff. Like the first CD, I was more intrigued by the artists less familiar to me, particularly Garrison Starr. (Sad that her last CD is out of print.) I also like certain clever touches such as the way Steve Forbert's cover of a Dylan song ("Watchin' the River Flow") is followed by Ms. Starr covering a Forbert song ("It Isn't Gonna Be That Way"). All in all, it's a thoroughly enjoyable collection, and I'll be looking forward to volume three!

This is marginally better than the first "I-10 Chronicles," which was pretty good itself. Songs by Grant Lee Phillips, Garrison Starr, Bill and Bonnie Hearne, Amy Correia, John Hammond, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and Jim White stand out. The only drawback is that some of these were previously released. I found "Me and This City" to be the best on the album and quite a good folk song. Like the other, put it in your CD player for a long trip.

If your tastes range wide, then you'll enjoy "I-10 2." Dave Alvin kicks off this album with a real barn burner, playing a hard version of "I Am A Lonesome Fugitive" - searing guitar accompanying a kicking drum and deep, fatalistic vocals that make you wish the guy would veer away just for a little while from the acoustic/light blues flavor that permeates his solo work these days. Other highlights include Garrison Starr's stray-dog take on Steve Forbert and Mr. Forbert's shaggy-dog take on Bob Dylan; a nice take on a late-era John Hiatt classic ("Crossing Muddy Waters") by Adam Durwitz; and Amy Correia's wonderful mash-up of "Gasoline Alley" and "It's All Over Now." Other highlights The Blind Boys of Alabama's take on "Just Wanna See His Face" and Bobby Bare Jr.'s homage to Neil Young's innocent "Sugar Mountain." There's even room for a little off-the-wall modernism, courtesy of Jim White's "Handcuffed...." Life on the road can be wearying, but listening to this road-themed collection is not, so long as you have an open ear

Looked for this for a while. Glad to have found it for sure. If you liked Vol. 1, you'll definitely like the flavor of this record. Some repeat customers on Vol. 2 and a few new artists like Jim White. Worth the purchase to add it to your collection.

Great CD and fast delivery. I wish it was sent with the names of the artists and song titles, instead of a blank cover.