Mike Ness – Cheating At Solitaire

I seem to have forgotten the brevity part of the deal. Let’s see if I can tighten things down some:

Pride Of Taranna Series Pt. 4: BMV #4 – Mike Ness – Cheating At Solitaire

This first solo album from Social Distortion’s Mike Ness is a brilliant listen. Instead of the punk of SD, it rocks straight up with a western twist, a swing, and a bluesy bent. Add Ness’ raspy voice and this project has a whole lotta style and class. With covers of Bob Dylan’s Don’t Think Twice and Hank Williams’ You Win Again, as well as Dill/Wilkin’s Long Black Veil mixed in around a bunch of Ness originals (two of which were written for a SD album but wound up here), it’s a ton of fun. And with special guests* like Bruce Springsteen, Brian Setzer, Billy Zoom (of X), and Royal Crown Revue’s Daniel Glass, Veikko Lepisto and Mando Dorame along for the ride, you know it’s a damn good time. Oh, and Josh Freese is on drums when Glass isn’t. Oh man. Right freaking on.

Hit It Or Quit It? Absolute Hit.

 

* Apparently, Johnny Cash had been invited to perform on Ballad Of A Lonely Man, but was too ill to particpate in the recording.