In the 1980s, Anderson nearly single-handedly reinvented contemporary country music (well he did have some help from that Yoakam fellow), adding elements of Tex Mex, pop and rock & roll, while still bringing the twang, hard and hillbilly, especially through his dazzling guitar work. Beyond country music, he's lent his talent to the likes of Michelle Shocked, the Meat Puppets and Roy Oribson, producing some of those artists' finest work. Of late, Anderson has been exploring the blues, applying his surprisingly effective growl to a set of stinging roadhouse and soul-influenced songs on Even Things Up, released in early 2011.
For this Live at KDHX session, Anderson and his band lock in like consummate road warriors, channeling the B3 groove of Booker T & the MGs on "Booker Twine," the swinging blues of T-Bone Walker on "One and Only Lonely Fool" and something wholly greasy, witty and original on "Working Class."
Anderson and band appear at BB's Jazz Blues and Soups on May 7.
