Archive Review: Dave Alvin’s Live In Long Beach 1997 (2015)

Both with roots-rockers the Blasters and as a solo artist, Dave Alvin has plumbed the depths of American music. Blues, rock, folk, and country – it’s all grist for Alvin’s immeasurable talents, and albums like last year’s Big Bill Broonzy tribute Common Ground (recorded with brother Phil) show that the singer, songwriter, and guitarist has one foot in the past and his eyes on the horizon.

Live In Long Beach 1997 captures a show where Alvin is joined by friends like Billy Boy Arnold, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, and Joe Louis Walker. Although Alvin’s solo set displays understated charms – especially his reading of “Long White Cadillac” – it’s when his guests jump in that things sizzle. Brown fiddles the house down on Hank Williams’ “Jambalaya” while a jam with Walker and Arnold on “Long Beach Blues” is worth the cost of admission alone. (RockBeat Records, released February 17th, 2015)

Review originally published by The Blues magazine...