Guitarist
Jim Campilongo's debut is a smart and highly original homage to the country-jazz instrumental work of
Speedy West,
Jimmy Bryant, and
Chet Atkins, not to mention the blues that informs many of the best country numbers. With the help of his band the
10 Gallon Cats,
Campilongo explores a variety of styles from Western swing and swamp blues to spacious mood pieces. Taking
West and
Bryant's fast, cartoon country-style '60s work as a starting point,
Campilongo and pedal-steel player
Joe Goldmark utilize a wide variety of sonic effects and tempos to forge their own distinct country-jazz sound on
"Splitsville," "Big Bill," and
"Blue Hen." The band (also featuring bassist
Chris Kee and drummer
Ken Owen) provides a nice break from these country swingers with reverb-heavy blues numbers like
"Bully Cat" and
"Snakestretcher." Campilongo also uses
"Snakestretcher" to showcase the kind of winning contrasts that would crop up more in future compositions; here, straight blues picking gives way to an elegiac descending-line duet by
Campilongo and
Goldmark. More of the same is evident on
"Night in Serramonte" as a tropical waltz evolves into a strolling, noir-like theme with
Goldmark playing high, singing notes over
Campilongo's dark guitar chords. Hopefully,
Campilongo's cinematic tendencies will find their way onto a future soundtrack. For now,
Jim Campilongo & the 10 Gallon Cats is evidence enough of not only
Campilongo's considerable writing talents, but also
the 10 Gallon Cats' accomplished playing. ~ Stephen Cook
