The vague country elements long dwelling on the fringes of
Bill Frisell's music rise to the forefront on
Nashville, an exquisitely atmospheric collection recorded in Music City with the aid of dobro legend
Jerry Douglas,
Union Station members
Adam Steffey and
Ron Block, and
Lyle Lovett & His Large Band's bassist
Viktor Krauss. Produced by
Wayne Horvitz, the record is both genuine and alien -- while played with real affection for the country form and without any avant posturing, its sound is original and distinct, a cinematic variation on C&W tenets. While primarily instrumental and comprised largely of
Frisell originals,
Nashville does welcome vocalist
Robin Holcomb for a pair of more traditional numbers --
Hazel Dickens' "Will Jesus Wash the Bloodstains from Your Hands" and the
Skeeter Davis hit "The End of the World" -- as well as a cover of
Neil Young's "One of These Days." ~ Jason Ankeny