Summary: Various Artists Paint It Black: An Alt Country Tribute to the Rolling Stones (Reimagine Music) The idea of low-gazing roots rock combos revisiting classic tracks from the Rolling Stones catalog may seem like an unlikely pairing, but credit rookie label Reimagine Music for pulling it together seamlessly. Following a similar tribute to Bob Dylan offered up last year, the company has upped the ante in terms of name-value and gathered some of alt-country’s more impressive – if consistently hushed – voices -- among them, Matthew Ryan, the Great Lake Swimmers, Cowboy Junkies, Hem, Blue Mountain, Giant Sand and the Handsome Family, making this a collection of considerable merit. Still, the transposition would seem befuddling were it not for the excellent choices made by the participants. Although a handful of better known tracks are included (“Wild Horses,” “Paint It Black,” “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”), it’s quite the stroke of genius to emphasize more obscure entries like “Streets of Love,” “Before They Make Me Run” and “Coming Down Again,” all of which seem open to rediscovery. Likewise, the Stones’ flirtation with Americana, transposed via songs such as “Moonlight Mile,” “Sweet Virginia,” “Wild Horses” and “Faraway Eyes” find an ideal connection with the downcast delivery so prevalent here. An excellent compendium, this is one tribute that’s absolutely essential. www.reimaginemusic.com courtesy of http://www.nodepression.com/profiles/blogs/lees-listening-stack-alt
