Ramsey Midwood'Shoot Out At The OK Chinese Restaurant'

Vanguard Records

Grade: A


Ramsay Midwoods debut album has found its way back to the United States after its successful journey through Europe. Originally, Glitterhouse Records (a German record label known for having scooped up a couple American gems) introduced Midwoods all-American bluegrass music to the European audience, who responded with enthusiasm.

Vanguard Records recently decided that Midwood is too good to be ignored in his own country. Midwood is now being hailed as the new Bob Dylan, and like Dylan and Tom Waits, his music is timeless.

His influences include Woody Guthrie, Mississippi John Hurt and Jimmie Driftwood. The Austin-based songwriter realized his love for the blues when he was playing Floyd Knowles in the Steppenwolf Theater production of "The Grapes of Wrath."

Having been a bike messenger, Ramsays songs tell stories of interesting characters in different places, such as Chicago, Mohawk River, Waynesboro and Alabama.

His album title is enough to show that Midwood has a playful spirit when it comes to music. Although his themes are loyal to the melancholy Blues tradition, his lyrics, especially in "Feed My Monkey," are odd and humorous. "Waynesboro" is a twangy number in which Ramsay rambles about "the good old days and a good old-fashioned wife." Most of the tracks are low-key and easy to listen to, evoking Western images of rolling hills and dusty roads.

This album is far from being clich, even within the template of bluegrass. Midwood combines various instruments and sounds to create his own signature blues: trumpet, banjo, harmonica, piano, organ, accordion and the fiddle, as well as the usual set of guitar, bass and drums.

In terms of instrumentals, "Fishermans Friend" is an interesting number. "Spinnin on this Rock" is one of the best tracks on the album, with great piano and fiddle accompaniments.

Listeners will not be bored with this album, for Midwood delivers even the most pessimistic themes with a tune that makes ones feet tap.

He shows a little attitude in the song, "Monster Truck," where he says, "If you dont like it / You can kiss my ass / Cause I drive a monster truck." His entire album, by respecting tradition and ignoring modern trends, never begs for attention but rewards those who are not turned off by his non-conformist, old-fashioned style.

The last track on the album is "Dreary Life," a pre-war folk ballad sung a capella. It is a suitable finale that brings the album into a complete circle, advocating a return to tradition.

Midwood is perfect to listen to when your ears are tired from overly processed popular music. His drunken, monotonous voice -- the faint crackling that sounds like a needle scraping a record -- and the overall rough style of his music claim authenticity. One does not necessarily have to be a bluegrass lover to appreciate Ramsays music. His raw sincerity should strike a chord in anyone who has ever had the blues.