Sleepy LaBeef

Roots
Ponk Media
ESSENTIAL "Sweet Evelina"

Arkansas rockabilly giant Sleepy LaBeef has been barnstorming for six decades, including a show with Elvis Presley, but he takes a welcome side trip on this new disc. Rather than heat up the dance floor, he plays stripped-down, acoustic songs, evoking Rick Rubin's work with Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond. The results are dazzling and showcase his voice, which has widened in scope since he gave up a three-pack-a-day habit some years ago. LaBeef opens on a too-facile note with Leadbelly's "Cotton Fields," but hits his stride on obscure gems ranging from traditional tunes that he arranged (the lovely "Sweet Evelina" and "In the Pines," both featuring backup singer Katy Arnovick) to Fred Rose's lament, "Foggy River," and a couple of murder ballads topped by Jack Clement's "Miller's Cave." LaBeef is reflective throughout, scoring nobly with Woody Guthrie's "Philadelphia Lawyer" and a couple of gospel songs, including the hopeful "The Open Door" (penned by LaBeef's wife, Linda) and a classic closing of "Amazing Grace." This is a tasteful, change-of-pace LaBeef album for fans who thought they had heard everything from him. (Out now)

STEVE MORSE