Silver Lake 66 - The Space Between Us (2022)

Bun E. Carlos is the opening salvo on this roots rockin’, somewhat bluesy and countrified third outing from the duo Silver Lake 66. Something of a paean to the female half of this duo and the album’s drummer Maria Francis, it was penned by partner Jeff Overbo and uses the title of Cheap Trick’s former drummer. Each tends to take the lead vocals on the songs they wrote. The title song has a nice California country sound that shows that Francis is as capable a singer as she is a versatile percussionist.

The album follows in the long-established tradition of some of the finest male/female partnerships in Americana and the the three songs that Overbo takes the lead vocals on serve as a nice contrast to those of Francis. They co-produced the album with Bryan Daste, who also adds background vocals and pedal steel guitar on certain tracks. They also bring in guests to add keyboards, bass, strings, saxophone and trumpet, the latter played by Portland music scene stalwart, Paul Brainard, who played with Richmond Fontaine.

Relief is a gutsy plea for some of the same, with Francis at her most blues motivated. Easier has a more Americana sound that is subtle and piano-led and marks the strength, as do other tracks, of the collective ability on show on the album. The dobro and bass used in When You Fall has a different feel again, using the two voices on alternate verses before the two join together for the chorus, which overall emphasises the caring nature of the song’s lyric.

There is something of a Southern feel to Take Some More Of These, with the B3 keyboard sound behind the solid guitar riffs. Sweet Compassion uses the keyboards again to set the tone with the melodic guitar for the slow paced mood of the soft-hearted nature of the lyrics. Much more back in the roots/country vein is Blue Sky and it works well again, with its steel guitar and danceable rhythm section behind the robust vocal.

The closing song is summed up by its title I’ll Sing The Blues. It is again more thoughtful in its use of a restrained arrangement which features a string section that highlights the emotion of the song.

This is Silver Lake 66’s third album and it continues a trajectory that, while it won’t make them household names in the current climate, serves to show their overall commitment and accomplishments and how regional acts are sometimes ignored despite the quality of their output.