Jimmy LaFave,
Blue Nightfall

Label: Red House Records
Year: 2005

(4½ out of 5)

Jimmy LaFave has one of the most beautifully plaintive voices in Texas. Whether singing about love or loss, truth or lies, he colors each story with a touch of melancholy. Blue Nightfall, his first album in four years and his first on Red House Records, finds LaFave at his mournful best.

Love and loss provide the album's central themes. "Sweet Sweet Love," "Shining on Through," and "Rain Falling Down" show lovers coming together. "Revival," "River Road," "Blue Nightfall," and "When You Were Mine" all show the heartache of loving and losing. "It's Gone" bewails the mistreatment of Native Americans.

But sometimes the blues lift, just as nighttime eventually gives way to day. "Music from the Motor Court" is an upbeat 50s-style boogie that showcases guests Gurf Morlix on electric guitar and Bryan Peterson on piano. "Bohemian Cowboy Blues" combines the beat spirit of Jack Kerouac with the funky folk styling of Bob Dylan. "Gotta Ramble" is the musician's lament for a life on the road.

The standout track is "I Wish for You," a beautiful love letter from the new father to his child: I wish for you a beautiful day / With lots of love to guide your way / I wish for you a life better than mine / Baby I'm trying all the time.

LaFave's vocals are the clear centerpiece, as they should be, but the musicianship throughout the album also is impressive. Radoslav Lorkovic shifts easily from blues to folk to jazz and beyond on piano, organ, and accordion. Will Landin paces each track on bass. Scott Martin adds beautiful dobro on "Rain Falling Down." Willy Doggett, while never given a chance to shine, contentedly keeps steady, driving beats on drums. And, of course, Jimmy LaFave himself leads all on electric and acoustic guitar.

Blue Nightfall is an atmospheric blend of blues, folk, and barrelhouse rock. No question it's an early contender for Texas album of the year.

Buy: Lone Star Music, Amazon

March 10, 2005