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THE KNITTERS
NEW WORLD BLUES

John Doe could lead a seminar on aging gracefully. From the rich, supple baritone that was only hinted at during X’s heyday to the wicked sense of fun of "The Call of the Wreckin’ Ball," the Knitters frontman has still got it going on. Of course, he was in good company a week ago Wednesday, joined on vocals by X mates Exene Cervenka and drummer D.J. Bonebrake, along with guitarist (also Blasters co-founder and one-time X guitarist) Dave Alvin and Jonny Ray Bartel on acoustic bass. Touring on the band’s second CD (The Modern Sounds of the Knitters, following 10 years after their debut, on Zoë/Rounder), Doe and company did the disc one better, not only re-creating its country-translated X covers ("In This House That I Call Home," "Skin Deep Town," and "Burning House of Love") but also invigorating its new tunes.

X always had their roots in hardcore hillbilly, the despair and the twang of the heartland, and the original Knitters gigs only mined what was already common ground. This time around, the band proved themselves more than a knockoff tribute. Opening with Merle Haggard’s "Silver Wings," accompanied only by Alvin, Doe laid the sentiment out cleanly: loss and longing as the American way. Later, when Exene took the lead for a wired-up version of the Stanley Brothers’ "Rank Stranger," the gospel-tinged waltz became spectral, the blues of the country.

Not that the band members haven’t changed, but they’ve done so in interesting ways. Alvin’s arcing solos have become if anything more lyrical; that was particularly true of his mournful take on the X-era "The New World," and when he played off Doe’s sparking acoustic guitar in "In This House." Even John and Exene’s romantic regret, as in the new "Try Anymore (Why Don’t We Even)," has traded in barely contained chaos for well-worn blues and humor.

The Knitters know better than to panic these days. Their livelier numbers — "Poor Little Critter in the Road" and the funny-wry "Skin Deep Town" — tended to fall to Exene, natty in her red-striped stockings, polka-dot dress, and controlled caterwaul. But this was an outfit having fun, whether it was Bonebrake pounding out a still-punk rhythm using brushes on his one snare and kicking his Zildjian washtub into a frenzy for "Long Chain On" or Bartel with his full-bodied thumping. And of course there was "Wreckin’ Ball," and the chicken stomper’s "The New Call of the Wreckin’ Ball." All reason to keep living. Still, when they swung into their slightly more deliberate take on "The New World," it was hard not to notice how little things have changed since that tune debuted 23 years ago: "It was better before before they voted for whatsisname." Indeed.

BY CLEA SIMON

Issue Date: August 19 - 25, 2005
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