On this episode we discuss Dave Alvin and his 1994 LP, King of California.
Dave Alvin started his storied career in Los Angeles with the Blasters, a band he founded with his brother Phil. Full of energy and attitude, the Blasters found themselves embraced by the LA punk scene. The band did find some commercial success, but they fought like cats and dogs, which while it added to their intensity, but not their long-term possibilities, leading Dave to strike out on his own.
After a couple of attempts at solo recordings, he finally found his voice on King of California. Taking his tried and true approach of complimenting new songs with re-recording, and some outstanding covers, he stripped-down the arrangements on King of California and hit pay-dirt. Considered by many to be his best collection of songs, King of California is the album where Alvin's abilities as a performer mesh with his talent as a song writer. It contains some of his best original songs, including a superb version of "Fourth of July," and a stunning duet with Rosie Flores that in itself is worth a listen.
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