Music a little left of center

Chuck Leavell, Forever Blue-Solo Piano, Evergreen Records.

Chuck Leavell, best known for his work with The Rolling Stones and Allman Brothers Band, has recorded a lovely all-instrumental, solo piano disc. While I normally toss solo piano recordings on the “reject” pile automatically, this one is a keeper. One will detect traces of blues, R&B, jazz, pop and old-time Appalachian/Scotch/Irish folk music. Particularly stirring is Leavell’s rendition of “Ashokan Farewell,” the beautifully haunting theme from the PBS documentary “The Civil War,” and the always-lovely “Georgia On My Mind.” Forever Blue is simply a joy to listen to. Evergreen Records, 665 Charlane Dr., Dry Branch, GA 31020.

The Boggs, We Are The Boggs We Are, Arena Rock Recording Company.

The Boggs got their start performing in the New York City subway, playing music that harkens back to the days of acoustic blues/old-time string band music, performed with a sometimes fiery, manic energy and an eerie, otherworldly vibe that goes back to the late 1920’s. Keep in mind, however, these are young people in their 20’s and early 30’s, at best. The music is all-original, although it sounds like something straight out of the Ozark woods or the Mississippi Delta. Recommended. www.arenarockrecordingco.com.

Various Artists, Pachuco Boogie, Arhoolie Records.

Arhoolie Records has put a great emphasis on re-releasing Mexican/American folk recordings over the last several years, but this one is unique; postwar Latino jazz-inflected boogie woogie/R&B-inspired small group jive, that makes use of the calo dialect, considered at that time to be a degenerative version of the Spanish language. Well represented are the recordings of bassist/vocalist Don Tosti, the leading exponent of the genre. Pachuco Boogie was the music of the Mexican zootsuiters, and while the music contains elements of improvisation, hardcore jazz heads will probably find it a curiosity at best. Come to think of it, so does this reviewer. www.arhoolie.com.

Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros, Global A Go Go, Hellcat Records.

Joe Strummer’s post-Clash work has been characterized by experimentation with world music influences, electronica, tape loops and exotic instruments mixed with the usual rock band instrumentation of guitars, bass, drums and keyboards. Strummer’s characteristically desperate vocals remain intact and his band fits him like a glove. There’s really no thought to blatant commerciality here, just cutting-edge rock‘n world music that takes a little effort to appreciate. Hellcat Records, 2798 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026.

Gutbucket, Insomniac’s Dream, Knitting Factory Records.

Gutbucket’s music is avant garde jazz/rock, nurtured at New York City’s leading venue for “out” music, the Knitting Factory, which operates this side label. Gutbucket also brings Brazilian sounds, odd time signatures, hokey cocktail music, Miles Davis-like cool jazz and funk influences in, taking the music in many directions. Not for the faint of heart and certainly not suitable for romantic background moods, the music of Gutbucket is nevertheless daring, yet not all that hard to grasp. It certainly doesn’t swing in traditional jazz sense, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have merit in its own right. www.knittingfactory.com.