Album Review: Peter Case-'Flying Saucer Blues' (Vanguard)

Peter Case’s fourth Vanguard release sounds much like a continuation of 1998’s ‘Full Service, No Waiting’. The same musicians return, highlighted by multi instrumentalist Greg Liesz and percussionist Sandy Chila, again under supervision of producer Andrew Williams.

In contrast to ‘Full Service, No Waiting’, Case includes more blues numbers than previously offered on one release. Whereas a stricter interpretation of traditional folk-blues could have been adhered to, Case varies the delivery, as on ‘Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda’, omitting harmonica (at which he is skilled), and includes a slide guitar/fiddle accompaniment bearing an almost uncomfortable resemblance to what is passing for popular country music these days.

‘Two Heroes’, a complex (and at 6:13, the longest) song about a washed up boxer who comes to the aid of two young girls living in his building who are set upon by small time crooks, and who ends up becoming the default suspect due to his race (this is L.A. after all), benefits from a easily listenable verse/chorus sequence. Although the form is simple, Case’s complex and effective lyrics, backed by raucous arrangement accented by accordion and Chila’s minimal but pronounced drum line make the song speed by.

‘Cool Drink of Water’, another in the blues vein resembles something from the David Hildalgo/Louis Perez (of Los Lobos) side project ‘Latin Playboys’. It is a straight three chord blues song, complete with repeated lines (‘Well my dog keeps barking, she’s barking all night long, Yeah, my dog keeps barking, she’s barking all night long’). Andrew Williams’ production, which includes Case’s vocal frequencies altered to resemble a bullhorn or telephone, and a ‘dirty’ horn sound make the song tolerable, but just so.

While ‘Cool Drink of Water’ may well be considered the nadir of ‘Flying Saucer Blues’, its zenith is achieved on the track which follows it, ‘Blue Distance’. Greg Liesz’s multi tracked steel guitar achieves an airy echo as big as the mountain of which Case sings. The words are simple, but convey a larger idea, heightened further by the instrumentation and harmony vocals.

Of the remaining tracks, ‘Paradise, etc.’, ‘Something Happens’, ‘Black Dirt and Clay’ and ‘Cool Trail Blues’ best display Case’s direction of late. That is, evocative lyrics delivered with conviction and authority. Further explanation regarding their message, or hidden meanings, if one were to take the trouble to locate them, would only diminish their impact. Case is an acquired taste, and like Peter Holsapple, Freedy Johnston and Billy Bragg, may be tough to sell to those not looking for him.

Thankfully, Vanguard sees the value of Case’s musical contributions. The folk based label has been a haven for artists outside of the mainstream. Case’s work has clearly benefited from this association. ‘Flying Saucer Blues’ may not achieve the heights attained on ‘Full Service, No Waiting’, but it soars perilously close.