The CD: “Painted On” (Tone-Cool Records)
PERFORMER: The Fabulous Thunderbirds

Like colorful old friends, who are seldom up to much good but always welcome, the Fabulous Thunderbirds return with another new incarnation and another new album, but a lot of the old flavor.

The old Thunderbirds are mostly just a memory, split their separate ways years ago. Only the band’s founder/frontman Kim Wilson still holds strong and with his assembled coconspirators, they do the spirit of roadhouse rock proud.

This latest incarnation of the Fabulous Thunderbirds features much of the brassy sound that landed hits for them back in the eighties, supplemented with an early Motown influence. With songs like “Love Speaks Louder Than Words,” “Feeling My Way Around” and “Wild Cherry,” they’re not so much reinventing as updating a little. But they don’t stray far from their raucous, rockin’ Texas roots. The new stuff is catchy, fun and a perfect compliment to hot weather and cold beer,

–By Bill Lynch

THE CD:“Mowing Grass While Dressed Up in a Suit”

PEFORMER: Johnny Jones

Johnny Jones writes country songs with lots of love and humor. The Princeton, W.Va., resident has been recording music off and on since back in the days of 45 rpm records. “The Japanese Kidnapped My Son” is a lighthearted look at the travails of fatherhood: “While they’re working hard in Tokyo/He’s no longer on the go/all day long it’s the same dang thing/he sure loves those video games…”

“Morning After a Night Of Lovin’” turns the table on a familiar honky-tonk theme: cheatin.’ “We must be in heaven/our love took us there/it will last forever we have what it takes/I wouldn’t be a bit surprised/ if I looked with you to see flying angels around God’s own holy gates.”

Jones’ music takes me back to steel mill bars in northeast Ohio in the mid-1960s. Steel guitar, bass, drums, guitar and a workingman’s voice. This is honest country music. Available at Tamarack and at Singing Crow Records, 1022 Summers Street. Hinton St., or online at www.singingcrowrecords.com, www.cdbaby.com and Apple’s itunes.

– by Paul Gartner

THE CD:“The company we keep” (McCoury Music)MCM 0002
PERFORMER: The Del McCoury Band
On the web: The Del McCoury Band

It is amazing how a band so close to the roots of bluegrass (patriarch Del played with Bill Monroe in the early 1960s and later fronted the Dixie Pals for many years) can be so thoroughly traditional and cutting edge, too.

On their latest CD, they continue to record fine songs that enlarge the bluegrass model, with three co-written by McCoury. “Never Grow Up Boy” is firmly autobiographical, about the joys of playing music. “Sometimes I look in the mirror/I see the boy I used to be/And after all these years its clearer/The dreams of boys can set men free.” It also doubles as a love song to his wife Jean, who waited at home while her man was living and working his dream. (The co-writer here is Harley Allen, the son of bluegrass legend Red Allen.)

“Seventh Heaven” is an instrumental from mandolinist Ronnie McCoury, which features several imaginative solos, including one from brother Rob McCoury (on his great-sounding banjo). “Fathers and Sons” could easily be the title track — the CD jacket is chock full of family photos, with all the grandkids — “the Third Generation” — on the back cover. Speaking of which, there is nothing quite like family harmonies, especially the McCourys’. Another song, “When It Stops Hurtin” is all about heartache, with a honkytonk backbeat, and echoes of Monroe.

This is a well-recorded CD from a band in top form.

– by Paul Gartner

THE CD: Cowboy Junkies
Early 21st Century Blues
Latent Records

As an early buzzworthy band that never achieved massive popular success, the Cowboy Junkies have avoided falling through the cracks almost by sheer force of will, by refusing to conform to the wild musical trends of the last 20 years. Rather than flash and glitter, CWJ has managed to get by with thoughtful songwriting and honest musical talent.

This latest album, “Early 21st Century Blues,” represents a slight, but pleasant detour for the Cowboy Junkies. The band chooses to supplement their own songs with a collection of handpicked covers by Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, George Harrison and U2. Vocalist Margo Timmins lends her bittersweet voice to songs that speak of the costs of war. The music is ever moody, haunted and hypnotic.

“Early 21st Century Blues” is less a collection of songs of political protest than an album mourning the loss of peace.

— By Bill Lynch

THE CD: Brazilian Girls
Verve Forecast B0003229-02
On the web:The Brazilian Girls

This self-titled CD is the third release from the art-pop-dance quartet. This mix is very danceable. Imagine Joni Mitchell meets Astrid Gilberto on a cool roof in a hot city night — and that city could be anywhere in the world. The lyrics are witty, as on “Lazy Lover,” from the prolific pen of vocalist Sabina Sciubba. Keyboards, bass and drums round out the quartet, with backing horns and vocal. Lazy and lovely.

– By Paul Gartner