Lonesome Brothers – Pony Tales

The Lonesome Brothers’ musical roots lie in the initial era of rock ‘n’ roll rebellion, the 1950s, and in the seminal alternative culture of the ’60s. Pony Tales, the fourth release from the Massachusetts trio, has shades of Bob Dylan and Neil Young, and is deeply colored by the Bakersfield sound and southern rockabilly, not to mention personal hard-won truths and a warm demeanor.

Jim Armenti (guitar, vocals), Ray Mason (bass, vocals), and Tom Shea (drums) form the core unit. Occasional members Doug Beaumier (pedal steel, dobro) and Jim Weeks (keyboards and sundry key backing parts, including production) joining in too. Vocals are swapped, but the tone remains consistent: dusty, reflective, and genial. Breezy western swing (“Next Time”) mixes with rootsy mid-tempo rock (“Gail Table For One”), twangy ballads (“The Drinking Side”), and jitterbuggin’ boogie (“Old Rails Rust”).

There’s an easygoing air but a sneakily pointed wit behind the Brothers’ songs. It’s echoed on the inner sleeve of the CD cover, which pictures the trio replicating the pose of the ponies on the front.