Neon Mirage

Stan Ridgway was once the genius behind Wall of Voodoo. His solo career has led him to a variety of genres. Neon Mirage is an album that suggests Ridgway has found his way into the O.K. Corral for a few song-and-dance numbers. Except the song and dance numbers are haunted by the death of his father and the suicide of his violinist Amy Farris. He credits his parents’ record collection of old country music, from Kitty Wells to Ernest Tubb, for the inspiration and one hears a strong resemblance to Marty Robbins and his earnest, straight-forward delivery. “Halfway There” even features a nicely spoken intro that glides into an easy old-time country tune. “This Town Called Fate” has an old, dusty Western melody. Bob Dylan’s “Lenny Bruce” is turned into an old cowboy tale. However, “Turn A Blind Eye” throws things to a more conventional band, or, at least, the drums give the sound a modern vibe. “Behind the Mask” goes even further into a different groove. The walking bass starts in the desert but the feel turns serene and atmospheric.