County Fair 2000 is the second solo album by the American musician Phil Alvin, released in 1994.[1][2] It arrived eight years after his solo debut, Un "Sung Stories", and followed years Alvin devoted to mathematics work.[3][4] Alvin supported the album by touring with a Dave Alvin-less version of the Blasters.[5] Alvin called the album "American minstrel music".[6]
| County Fair 2000 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1994 | |||
| Label | HighTone | |||
| Producer | Phil Alvin | |||
| Phil Alvin chronology | ||||
| ||||
Production
editAlvin used the concept of a small-town midcentury county fair to tie together the album; he was primarily influenced by music from the 1920s to 1940s.[7][8] Members of his jazz side project, the Faultline Syncopators, contributed to the songs.[9] Cesar Rosas played guitar on the album.[10] Billy Boy Arnold contributed on harmonica, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band on brass instruments.[11][12] Fayard Nicholas tapped out the rhythm to one of the songs.[13] "Ankh" is a cover of the Sun Ra song.[14]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [10] |
| Robert Christgau |  [15] |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | [16] |
Trouser Press wrote that "it's a marvel to hear such musty chapters from music's history books brought to robust modern life in the hands of such a well-versed scholar."[14] The Guardian concluded: "Brilliant in patches; it's a pity Alvin's voice doesn't match his guitar work."[13] NPR stated that "there's room in his melting pot for ragtime, doo-wop, country music, the blues, and lots more."[7] The St. Petersburg Times determined that, "while there is an understated attempt to preserve the musical forms, these fun-loving performances extend beyond the usual archivist or traditionalist boundaries."[17] The Los Angeles Times noted that, "known for his high-voltage, larger-than-life delivery, Alvin shows a different dimension by playing it low-key throughout this album."[12]
AllMusic wrote that "County Fair 2000 leaves no doubt that Phil Alvin is a premier musicologist, preserving and staying true to what he loves."[10] The Spin Alternative Record Guide labeled Alvin the "West-Coast Buster Poindexter."[18]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "County Fair" | |
| 2. | "Wreck Your V-8 Ford" | |
| 3. | "The Blue Line" | |
| 4. | "That Thing" | |
| 5. | "Turnin' Blues into Gold" | |
| 6. | "Starlight" | |
| 7. | "Keep in Touch" | |
| 8. | "What's the Reason I'm Not Pleasin' You" | |
| 9. | "She Loves So Good" | |
| 10. | "Callin' Corrine" | |
| 11. | "The Terror" | |
| 12. | "Oh, Doctor" | |
| 13. | "Mr. Satellite Man" | |
| 14. | "Low Down Rhythm" | |
| 15. | "Danny Boy's Mourning Sunset: The Old Rugged Cross / Ankh / Didn't He Ramble" |
References
edit- ^ Morris, Chris (Jul 23, 1994). "Hightone Reissue Series Stands Testament to the Blues". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 30. p. 60.
- ^ Sinclair, David (2 Dec 199). "Still believe in yesterday?". Features. The Times.
- ^ Wolff, Kurt (2000). Country Music: The Rough Guide. Rough Guides. p. 266.
- ^ Herndon, David (12 May 1995). "Master Blaster Re-Forms Band". Newsday. p. B22.
- ^ McVicker, Steve (February 9, 1995). "Blasters Redux". Houston Press.
- ^ Dickinson, Chris (17 Mar 1995). "Explosive Rockabilly". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. P.
- ^ a b Weinstein, Ted (Jan 18, 1995). "Ted Weinstein Pays a Visit to 'County Fair 2000'". All Things Considered. NPR.
- ^ Shuster, Fred (27 Jan 1995). "Playing by the Numbers". Los Angeles Daily News. p. L20.
- ^ "Phil Alvin Biography by Jason Ankeny". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ^ a b c "County Fair 2000 Review by Al Campbell". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ^ DeLuca, Dan (9 Dec 1994). "Alvin all over the map, and worth finding". Orange County Register. Knight Ridder. p. P54.
- ^ a b Boehm, Mike (23 Mar 1995). "New Pick of the Week". OC Live. Los Angeles Times. p. 5.
- ^ a b Denselow, Robin (20 Jan 1995). "Phil Alvin County Fair 2000". The Guardian. p. T12.
- ^ a b "Phil Alvin". Trouser Press. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ^ "Phil Alvin". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ^ MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1996. p. 71.
- ^ Proplesch, Richard (10 Feb 1995). "Phil Alvin, County Fair 2000". Weekend. St. Petersburg Times. p. 12.
- ^ Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. 1995. p. 48.