The career of super-bassist Charlie Haden - whose CV can connect the dots between John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman and the Foo Fighters - is the subject of a forthcoming documentary. This isn't its soundtrack, but tells its own story about Haden's non-jazz country roots.
The extended Haden clan has recorded a set of vintage songs, the likes of which Haden snr's own parents played in the family band of his 1930s-40s boyhood. The voices behind them include triplet daughters Petra, Rachel and Tanya and son Josh, as well as guests Elvis Costello, Ricky Skaggs, Rosanne Cash, and Vince Gill. And comedian son-in-law Jack Black (husband of Tanya) who acquits himself well on bluegrass stomp
Among the 19 tracks, songs by the likes of the Carter Family, Hank Williams and Bill Monroe get spirited and affectionate treatment. But among the vocal highlights is Haden himself, who sings the closing traditional
Oh Shenandoah
over some lovely bass playing, while Josh, the former frontman of the very sleepy 90s folk-rock outfit Spain, offers hypnotic gospel on his own
Spiritual
.
Sure, it lacks a little focus - what family get-together doesn't? - and Haden snr's playing is mostly politely restrained throughout. But all that variety just adds to this album's considerable yee-ha factor.
