Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin

Common Ground: Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin Play And Sing The Songs Of Big Bill Broonzy
YepRock Records

It has been nearly thirty years since the Alvin Brothers last recorded an album together. Those records by The Blasters burned their way out of Southern California and quickly became American music classics with such great songs like “Marie Marie,” “Border Radio” and “It Must Be Love.” But as often happens when siblings work together too much, there can be a falling out and they both went their separate ways. But deep down there is their shared passion for music and the artists that inspired them.. One of those artists was Big Bill Broonzy. The first true king of the blues in Chicago, who worked with and influenced countless musicians, Broonzy was the epitome of songwriter, guitarist and performer. So what does it take to bring the Alvin Brothers back together in a studio and on tour? Their love for the music of Broonzy, of course.

The readings of Broonzy’s music by the Alvin Brothers have been updated to match their own stylings The guitar interplay between Dave and Phil is nicely done, bringing a freshness to the songs that may make them more modern sounding, but they completely save the original feel overall.

Classic Broonzy songs such as “Key To The Highway,” featuring the two trading vocals and Phil blowing impressive harmonica, “Just A Dream,” and even going back to one of Broonzy’s first recordings “Big Bill Blues.” It may not be The Blasters, but there sure are a lot of glimpses musically of that band, especially with the jumping swing take of “Tomorrow” or the rockabilly drive on “Truckin’ Little Woman” with its fiery electric guitar breaks.

For the band numbers they certainly didn’t hold back. Former Blasters member Gene Taylor is on board on the keys. Bassist Bob Glaub who has literally played with just about everybody in Southern California at one time or another, drummer Lisa Pankratz from Dave’s band The Guilty Ones is also on hand. Trading off in the rhythm section are also renowned session musicians drummer Don Heffington and bassist Brad Fordham.

Common Ground is a very enjoyable disc that serves as a tribute to the music of the legendary Big Bill Broonzy and as a reunion of the Alvin Brothers. It’s kind of the best of two worlds and certainly a pleasure to hear. I hope that the two reconcile their differences and create more outstanding recordings like this one. Even if it’s a Big Bill Broonzy follow-up album; there is certainly enough material to carry that focus on.

Total Time: 42:43

All By Myself / I Feel So Good / How You Want It Done? / Southern Flood Blues / Big Bill Blues / Key To The Highway / Tomorrow / Just A Dream / You’ve Changed / Stuff They Call Money / Truckin’ Little Woman / Saturday Night Rub