On
Table for One
,
Jim Campilongo
forgoes the more overt country touches found on the instrumental only recordings done with his band
the Ten Gallon Cats
and focuses on the low-key, jazz tinged numbers in which the band would occasionally indulge. Songs like
"Ewaltz"
and
"The Grass Is Greener"
reflect more the influence of
Bill Frissell
than
Jimmy Bryant
. This is due both to
Campilongo
's own spacious arrangements and subtle guitar work as well as the absence of the fine pedal steel playing of
Cats
' regular
Joe Goldmark
-- he's featured here only on
"D'Boat."
Amidst the low key surroundings, though,
still manages to run the gamut stylistically without making the album sound like a careless pastiche. On
his playing organically shifts from atmospheric country chords to a solo that seamlessly alternates between tough blues licks and fluid jazz notes. Throughout the album
gets great support from bassist and
' member
Chris Kee
as well as new drummer
Jason Lewis
and accordion player and keyboardist
Rob Burger
from
Oranj Symphonette
Tin Hat Trio
fame.
Burger
in particular contributes fine solos including his
Jimmy Smith
-inspired, Hammond B3 work on
"Feisty's Ride"
and a cabaret style accordion exploration on
"Strange Face."
With the thoughtful title track and a smoldering version of
Billy Sherrill
's
"Too Far Gone"
rounding out the set,
ends up being a fine showcase of not only
's considerable writing talents, but his accomplished, multidimensional guitar playing as well. ~ Stephen Cook