(Knitting Factory)

www.knittingfactoryrecords.com

Take two musicians of disparate backgrounds, exploit their common love of traditional music, and put them in the studio sans accompaniment save their guitar and vocals. The end result is manifest in Chase the Devil, an inspired pairing featuring guitarist Gary Lucas and vocalist Dean Bowman. The two men find a special bond in gospel and blues, transforming age-old spirituals and archival originals by the likes of the Rev. Gary Davis, the Staple Singers, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe into rugged and reverent interpretations.

Tapping into a solemnity that befits the music's hallowed origins, the duo manages to infuse contemporary influences into the tangled trappings of "Nobody's House" and the propulsive tempo of "Time and the Place." The dusty bottleneck blues of "This May Be The Last Time," a precursor to the Stones standard with a similar name, manages to circumvent the divide between Rock and religion. Lucas, a one-time member of Captain Beefheart's backing band, is a proficient musician, one whose varied influences, subtle nuances and vibrant technique offer all the ambiance that's needed. For his part, Bowman commands a remarkable vocal range, finding resonance in the darker melodies and elation in more spirited celebration. 

Still, a cautionary note is needed.  Chase The Devil may be too scholarly for some, particularly those who aren't as attuned to tradition.  Nevertheless, the triumph of this Devil lies in the details, and virtuosity assures its saving grace.

Standout Tracks: ""Nobody's House," "Time and the Place" LEE ZIMMERMAN