A Pre-Existing Condition

A Pre-Existing Condition

This is as acoustic as it gets — a supersession among the alt-country / indie-rock scenes: David Dondero on acoustic guitar, Rob Keller of Six String Drag on upright bass, William Tonks of Bloodkin on dobro and guitar and Russ Hallauer of Sunbrain (Dondero’s original band) on mandolin and tenor banjo. The songs range from Dondero originals to top-shelf covers that easily bend to Dondero’s will. Neil Young’s “Don’t Cry No Tears” is stripped down to a desperate ballad. Charley Pride’s “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’” is similarly played as more a dirge than a celebration. Bob Dylan’s “Let Me Die In My Footsteps” has an impressive backing choir for the chorus while Dondero’s most fragile and careful delivery on the verses underlines the song’s true horrors. Even Jawbreaker’s “Boxcar” gets an acoustic workout.  Jimmie Rodgers, Woody Guthrie, Doug Sahm, the list is solid. And Dondero’s own “Not Everybody Loves Your Doggie Like You Do” is a chuckle worthy of Bonnie Prince Billy.

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