Gunn, Steve and Black Twig Pickers – “Seasonal Hire” – [Thrill Jockey Records]

Steve Gunn leads the Black Twig Pickers through some old-time traditional tunes carrying forward into a modern colloquial. initially staying true to form with the opener jamming on a simple tune, letting the different players take turns in front. Sally Ann Morgan really carryies that country twang on fiddle and vocals whereas when Steve takes over singing on Trailways the mood shifts to that of some sort of Appalachian raga, Mike Gangloff on the jaw harp and tanpura giving it a more esoteric flavor. the side-long title track really lays in and spaces out into an expansive rustic drone, drifting like a heavy fog through the narrow hollows. true music to lay back and drink moonshine to while smoking cigarettes on empty mountain roads (don’t try this at home).