PETER MULVEY
The Good Stuff
Signature Sounds 2045

www.signaturesounds.com
 

When you listen to Peter Mulvey’s The Good Stuff, you’ll realize that with this release, (I count his 16th) that Peter is just out to have a good time with this one. And not only does he have a blast, along with his talented back-up players, the Crumbling Beauties, but they will take you along for a very fun and creative ride.

Not bound by anything but what styles he likes, Mulvey’s nod to his favorite standards with this CD run from Leonard Cohen to Bill Frisell and Thelonious Monk. Mulvey’s song list has you licking your chops before you can get it into your CD player. He also has a more swing standard companion to this one called Chase, so you can get them separately to make a set.

Whether singing a Willie Nelson duet with Kris Delmhorst, “Are You Sure,” his sultry rendition of Tom Waits, “Green Grass,” or tackling Duke Ellington’s “Mood Indigo,” Mulvey has you in the palm of his hand with his interpretive but honest style. Mulvey’s gravely and casual vocals bring to mind the aforementioned Tom Waits crossed with Greg Brown with just a touch of Loudon Wainwright in for wry humor.

The Good Stuff has a rootsy groove that has you craving more of it, even after the album is done. Even “No Sugar,” a bit folkier with Mulvey’s banjo, still has a vintage feel with a bit of Parisian sounding accordion and the overtones of pre-old-time country influence. And to remind us to have a sense of humor, or at least that Peter does, he follows “No Sugar” with “Sugar,” a gritty Latin-style song that will have you putting the rose in your teeth, ready to dance a steamy tango.

Whether you’re wanting to lift your mood, relax at the end of the day or liven up a party, The Good Stuff does all of that and more.

— Kari Estrin