LARRY KEEL

LARRY KEEL
EXPERIENCED

Keel Fish Music
No Number

Experienced is one of Larry Keel’s best albums in a while. Not that the previous efforts weren’t good, it’s just this recording finds Keel back to his scruffy and experimental best. At the heart of Experienced are seven new original songs written by Keel and bandmate Will Lee. On bass and vocals is the ever-present Jenny Keel joined by a nice array of special guests.

Right out of the gate comes the barnburner instrumental “Ripchord.” Written by Lee, the trio is joined by the legendary Sam Bush on mandolin, who is always up to the challenge of a crooked and cool new gambol. Keel follows up with “Lil Miss,” using his trademark growl to tell a story about a woman that has him quite perturbed. On “Fill ’Em Up Again,” the Hall of Famer Del McCoury adds vocals, Jason Carter plays fiddle, and Steep Canyon Rangers’ Mike Guggino brings his mandolin licks to this good old-fashioned drinking and pickin’ song.

Experienced then takes a wonderful esoteric turn with the Keel-penned songs “Miles And Miles” and “The Warrior.” The former finds Keller Williams showing up for a flowing and atmospheric frolic replete with Keel’s sweet guitar work and the faraway, drifting side of his lead vocals. Peter Rowan is known for the Native American/Buddhist/Tibetan chants and vocalizations that he has sung on various songs over the years. On “The Warriors,” Rowan adds a new chapter to that mystical tradition, only this time with a Mongolian Tuvan throat-singing twist to this exceptional otherworldly romp. The album ends with the most beautiful song in the collection, “Another Summer Day,” written by Lee with Anders Beck’s wonderful resonator guitar work flowing throughout. (www.larrykeel.com)DH