Although it was recorded in 1988, the photo of
Leon Redbone
on the cover of
No Regrets
harks back to an earlier time. In fact, he looks as though he's getting ready to sell some innocent
soul
property in the Florida swamp. But the listener need have no fear.
Redbone
's old-fashioned fashion sense only reflects his musical taste, firmly planted in
pop
,
blues
, and
jazz
from the '20s, '30s, and '40s. He's equally at home with
Mooney
and
Seals
'
"Crazy Arms"
as he is with
Hank Williams
"Long Gone Lonesome Blues."
The spare production performed by luminaries like banjoist
Bela Fleck
, violinist
Mark O'Connor
, and dobroist
Jerry Douglas
gives these songs a nice, simple underpinning.
's husky vocals add the last ingredient needed for fine versions of
"Lazy Bones"
"My Good Gal's Done Gone Blues."
He seems to have a special penchant for old
Ernest Tubb
Jimmie Rodgers
' songs, but he's smart enough to pick lesser-known jewels like
"You Nearly Lose Your Mind"
"Somewhere Down Below the Dixon Line."
The only drawback to the whole affair is how straightforward it is. While the songs and vocals are technically solid, they lack the spark that made earlier
albums something special. Still,
is an enjoyable album and fans will appreciate its 2004 reissue on CD. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.