Ick’s Pick: Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore’s ‘Texicali’

A dozen years has passed since my last “Ick’s Pick,” so why not pick it back up? I’ve been combing through the HTML wreckage of my web site for the last few weeks – fixing dead links, images and such. Why? Because I’m a music loving tech nerd, and I find value in this web site (almost 20 years in!), which at the end of the day is my documented journey through my love of music. My ‘Ick’s Pick’ series was/is a way for me to focus on new music, some with artists I’m familiar with, others brand new to me.

So it’s 2024, I’ll turn 54 in a few short weeks, my kids are grown-ups now (bonkers!!), and I feel like Ick Pickin’!

Scouring my weekly AllMusic New Release email earlier today, my eyes were drawn instantly to this new release from OG roots-rockin’ troubadours Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. It’s midafternoon, and I’m closing in on two listens through this record. As you’d expect if you’ve spent any time listening to Dave or Jimmie over the years, you’re in store for 51 minutes of quality roots / country / blues & ballads. The album title is a nod to the gents’ home states – Jimmie’s Texas and Dave’s California. They trade verses throughout – Dave with his low & lonesome register, Jimmie with his signature higher pitched delivery.

Four tunes are highlights for me so far. Three of them consecutively (4, 5 and 6 on the album):

“Trying To Be Free” – This is how I love Jimmie Dale Gilmore – a mellow, mid-tempo melodic tune (track down “Tonight I Think I’m Gonna Go Downtown“); this is a plaintive plea to love him or leave him. They’re two like-minded souls with an independent streak, that itch to be “free.” “If I lose you here perhaps I’ll find you there.”

“Blind Owl” – Dave strips it down with some bad-ass boogie blues, in honor (I’m assuming) of the late Alan Wilson, aka “Blind Owl.” Wilson was the leader, cofounder and co-lead singer of Canned Heat. Wilson, I didn’t realize until today, is sadly a member of the “27 club” along with Hendrix, Joplin, Cobain, etc. He died in September 1970.

“Death of the Last Stripper” – Dave and Jimmie team up on this achingly beautiful ballad about the death of a woman, neglected and forgotten by family and friends. “We’re the only ones in the world who even know that she died.” From the first notes to the last second piano flair, this one is just gorgeous and sad.

“Down the 285” – Here’s another slowed down tune featuring Dave and Jimmie. It’s infectious, and you’ll be singing along by the end – “I’m making the drive down the 285, and I can’t take my eyes off the moon.” And Alvin’s line “And I will not cower in my darkest hour…” Sublime.

This, friends, is why you listen to new music. Many of your old favorites, God bless ’em and keep ’em, never stop delivering. I woke up today oblivious to this album, but I now have it (and especially these 4 tunes) etched into my music loving soul.

Buy Texicali on the Yep Rec store.

Dave Alvin‘s site.

Jimmie Dale Gilmore‘s site.