CD Review

In the first of what we can only hope will become a series of collaborations between Calexico and Iron &Wine, this seven song effort features the minimalist Sam Beam approach floating on neo-folk and country-western waters.

Tucson mariachi singer Salvador Duran lends some operatic vocals opposite Beam’s gentle voice in the lush opener, “He Lays In The Reins.” Narrative lyrics lead the story-lined “Prison On Route 41, and Paul Niehaus’ steel guitar, along with some pop group melodies and horns, spurs “A History of Lovers” to a nice centerpiece statement. His purring steel guitar rises once again in the haunting tale of lost love - “Sixteen, Maybe Less” – which provides Beam’s whispery words a sense of grandness. And Joey Burns chimes in to harmonize on the bluesy rocker “Red Dust,” which trembles like a classic Aerosmith cut.

It’s a cliff note record, but “Dead Man’s Will” reaffirms the strength in this unique partnership, offering just a taste and leaving you thirsty for more from Sam, Joey and Co.