Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women

NARROWS CENTER FOR THE ARTS

One of the more piercing rock 'n' roll songwriters we've got, Dave Alvin recently suffered a loss that eventually comes to us all: his best friend died. In Alvin's case, the loss affected him professionally as well; Chris Gaffney wasn't only a terrific singer-songwriter, he was a key part of Alvin's Guilty Men ensemble. After saluting his pal by helming the creation of The Man of Someone's Dreams (Yep Roc), a multi-artist tribute filled with Gaffney's songs (from John Doe's "Quiet Desperation" to Joe Ely's "Lift Your Leg," it's a keeper), he pulled together a new ensemble with a kinda-sorta twist: everyone 'cept the leader is a lady. Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women (Yep Roc) is a kinda-sorta jewel that finds the former Blasters boss in a great mood. He has a swinging salute to LA's Central Avenue scene. He has a boo-hoo ballad about dying in poverty. He has a zydeco spin on his timeless "Marie Marie." He even has a boogie romp through "Que Sera, Sera." He may not be handsome, and he may not be rich (as Doris Day's tune goes), but he is a reliable rocker who always has an insightful take on the blue-collar American experience. Nina Gerber, Cindy Cashdollar, Christy McWilson, Amy Farris, Laurie Lewis, Sarah Brown, and Lisa Pankratz are slated to be on the case when the band chugs into the Narrows Center for the Arts, 16 Anawan Street, Fall River, Massachusetts. Jeffrey Focault opens at 8 pm | $28 | 508.324.1926 | ncfta.org

Filed under: MUSIC