Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, BARK (True North Records, 2003)

The original Blackie only had one rodeo king. That was it. Blackie and the Rodeo King was the title to an album of songs by Willie P. Bennett, the Canadian songwriter and musician who inspired this trio of other Canadian songwriters and musicians to record a tribute album on which they covered some of his best compositions. The success of Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, both financially and musically, led the group to record a second collection of tunes, although they added a few of their own songs. Kings of Love won a Juno Award. Stephen Fearing, Colin Linden and Tom Wilson are well-known in their own right as players and writers. Fearing's folk albums are popular around the water cooler in the Green Man suite of offices. Colin Linden is familiar in his role backing Bruce Cockburn, and for taking part in the O Brother, Where Art Thou juggernaut and the followup tour/film Down From the Mountain. Tom Wilson fronted the rockers Junkhouse, who just released Rounders, a greatest hits album. But together as Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, they don matching cowboy suits and take on a persona that is unique, and extraordinary.

BARK, named after their initials, or after an old forgotten Jefferson Airplane album, or after what the dog on the CD is going to do when he finishes smoking that big doobie, is a dramatic leap forward and a rollicking great album of roots music. Individually the trio brings a background in folk, blues, rock, barrelhouse, to bear on a sound that is reminiscent of classic Band music more than anything. And the support of latter day Band-member Richard Bell on keyboards makes the comparison even closer to the mark. Gary Craig on drums and John Dymond's bass complete the sextet providing astonishing depth in the rhythm section.

Willie P. only gets one cover this time. It's a beaut. "Willie's Diamond Joe" is a cracker of a song;

Once I was a rich man,
a gambler was my game
'til I saw her cool beauty
inside her danced my flame
and I watched til my desire
was turned from me to her
and she watched til I was blinded
and then she left me there.

Framed by Linden's snakey slide guitar and husky lead vocal, this is a meaty and beautiful ballad. But it appears a dozen songs in, after songs by each of the Kings, separately or in concert with each other, or with other friends. And each song deserves its spot! But the stunning guitar solo, and haunting organ part, and the loose harmonies make "Willie's Diamond Joe" a highlight.

The album begins with with a Wilson/Fearing co-write "Swinging From the Chains of Love," which uses a well-worn image from rock'n'roll's past to stake a claim in rock'n'roll's future!

and I'm not done with these passionate chains
I'm draggin' them around makin' such a sad sound
Baby
You better look out mama 'cause I'm so strung out
swingin' from these chains of love.

New style rockabilly. Awesome.

"If I Catch You Cryin'" takes a nearly bossa nova beat, adds a haunted vocal from Fearing, an answer vocal from Wilson, and some spookily processed guitars to create a very special five minutes. And each song is like that. It takes a new spin on some old tires and gets more mileage out of the country/blues/folk machine than you might have thought was left.

"Water or Gasoline" is a blues, with precise slide guitar. "Stoned" starts with acoustic guitar, some electric slide, and a hollow drum, Wilson's deep raw voice. This song got a special mention from the teenaged boys in the car. These guys are into some heavy techno, metal, grunge, stuff that hasn't even been categorized so far as I know...and they said, "Hey, Mr. Kidney...play "Stoned" again!" I kid you not! And I like it too!

"Lock All the Doors" sounds like a classic country song, "Had Enough of You Today" is a rocker, kind of a Junkhouse tune. But each one done with the full Blackie workout, becomes more than it would if left to one individual Rodeo King. Tom Wilson appeared at the Jackie Washington Tribute concert to premier Colin Linden's "Jackie Washington." The story is that Linden had wanted to do a full album of Jackie Washington Tributes. Trouble is, Jackie doesn't write songs, he is a walking encyclopedia of 20th century songwriting...so Linden wrote this musical biography of his hero. And it's powerful stuff.

Jackie Washington rode the rails way back in World War II
Playing his guitar in the sleeper car to lullaby the lucky few
He worked the Canadian Pacific Line
To satisfy his wandering bones
There weren't a lot of men that he couldn't call friend
or places that he couldn't call home, good Lord,
Places that he couldn't call home.

Yessir, Jackie is a special guy! And this song is a touching tribute to his life.

A big surprise comes after the Willie P. Bennett tune; another cover. A punk rock tempo is set for a Bruce Cockburn song! "Tie Me at the Crossroads" is a slamming beast of a song that grabs your shoulders and drags you down the street. These Rodeo Kings are fantastic. They own the room when you play their music. All three of their albums are good, but right now, this one is king. And if they make another one, I'll be there, lining up to buy it on the day of release.