Bastard Sons Of Johnny Cash: Walk Alone

What's in a name, anyway Though Johnny Cash himself has apparently given his blessing to The Bastard Sons Of Johnny Cash, the group's name shouts "novelty." But don't be fooled: The music rarely misses its mark. Even though the band boasts some fine interim session players and sidemen who have worked with Dwight Yoakam and Bob Dylan, singer Mark Stuart and his San Diego compadres are what keep the group rooted in classic country territory. Relatively removed from the "alt" community, The Bastard Sons Of Johnny Cash doggedly sticks to gritty outlaw anthems, dusty ballads, and road songs, with surprisingly consistent results. The road song is such a staple of country music that it takes a real knack for songwriting to give new truck tales some spark. One of several such songs, "440 Horses" does just that, slyly tipping its hat to spiritual leader Cash while dropping the requisite references to oil, gasoline, and putting the hammer to the floor. The leisurely "Lonesome Sky" and "Walk Alone" sound like the kind of quiet songs a trucker would listen to upon reaching his destination, while covers of Merle Haggard's "Silver Wings" and Dale Watson's "Truckstop In La Grange" resemble the music he'd hum in his head on the way there. (Since, as with Bastard Sons' originals, there's no way either would be played on stodgy country radio stations.) "Trains Gonna Roll," "Crying Over You," and "Memphis Woman" recall a slightly more countrified Chris Isaak (whose keyboard player Brett Tuggle guests on "Blade"), with Stuart's fine voice lending the music a hint of sophistication that nicely complements the often spare and serious music. Real country music has made such a resounding return in recent years that there suddenly seems to be a place for country acts of all types. With the arrival of The Bastard Sons Of Johnny Cash, it's time to make room for one more.