Chris Robinson and The New Earth Mud -- This Magnificent Distance (Vector Records)

Damned if "born too late to be the hippie he's determined to be" Chris Robinson (formerly lead-singer of roots-rock hippie kings The Black Crowes) doesn't pull off a darn good disc of slow, rootsy, stoner/psychedelic rock.  Save for opening smoker "40 Days", the balance of the disc catches a slow groove wave and rides it to the end.  While Robinson's hippie-dippie song-writing and made-for-roots-rock vocal rasp is perfect for this stuff, the real find here is co-writer/producer/lead-guitarist Paul Stacey.  While obviously technically proficient, Stacey's good taste and texture win out - a perfect foil for Robinson.  The era of hair, headbands, hemp and hedonism pervades this disc just as the scent of ganja pervades the air.  Relive the best that stoner/psychedelia had to offer - modernized with an endless groove and a mellow, lava lamp, blacklight, day-glo feel.  Thank goodness Robinson's still wavin' his freak flag high!  It's a pretty good trip, man. --

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band -- Welcome to Woody Creek  (DualTone Records)

Welcome to another fine NGDB album.  One of the original country-rock bands and godfathers of Americana some 30 years before the term was coined (and progenitors of the 'Will the Circle Be Unbroken' series), the NGDB has never sounded more like, well...the NGDB.  Once you know their sound, there's no mistaking it.  Banjo/mandolin player John McEuen is, thankfully, back in the fold with fellow originals Jeff Hanna, Jimmy Fadden and Jimmy Ibbotson (there were a few even-more-originals, including Jackson Browne, but this is considered the proper original line-up), and Bob Carpenter (who's not original, but has been a NGDB-er for years now), and they just never lose steam.  This disc betters 'Bang, Bang, Bang' that preceeded it, and at least equals the great 'Acoustic' that preceeded that.  The guys sound loose and happy to be makin' pretty much the same loveable sound they've been makin' for almost 40 years.

Most famous for their cover of Jerry Jeff Walker's "Mr. Bojangles" and Ibbotson's syrupy "Dance Little Jean" (and shoulda-been hit, the raucous "High Horse"), the band break little new ground here, offering their cover of The Beatles' "Get Back", which sounds pretty much like you'd think, in the NGDB fashion, and another 11, mostly self-penned, smokey, warm, comfortable country-rock/pseudo-bluegrass tunes.  Keep on chuggin', boys.  It's obvious you love it, and so do we! --

Mary Lou Lord -- Baby Blue (Rubric Records)

Charming and rocking at the same time, this disc has spent ALOT of time in my player.  Long-time cult fave The Bevis Frond's genius Nick Saloman is onboard as producer/co-writer/guitarist for vocalist/co-writer Mary Lou Lord's third album, 'Baby Blue' (the title cut a cover of the Badfinger classic).  These two seem to be a mighty fine pairing.  Let's hope they do her next one together!  There's a melodic, rootsy, very engaging down-home feel here, epitomized by lead track "The Wind Blew All Around Me" - a hit waiting to happen.  Lord's voice, rather shy and little-girlish, is perfect for most songs here, but a tad weak to do the title track (of all things) justice.  Anyone familiar with Saloman's guitar work knows that heavy, retro Gibson guitar sound on both rhythm and excellent lead, and it's all over this disc.  One other cover on the album is a commendable version of Pink Floyd's "Fearless" - done amazingly well.  All other songs are written by Saloman and Saloman/Lord.  Here's hoping that Saloman and Lord hook up again, and that this disc gets the exposure it deserves.  While not great, it has a mighty fine, done in the living room feel.  Heartily recommended. --