Viktor Krauss II

He may not be as famous as his fiddling sister, Alison, but Viktor Krauss is a similarly accomplished and experienced musician. An in-demand session player, he’s toured with such notables as Peter Rowan and Lyle Lovett (who joins him here on “(I Could Have Been Your) Best Friend”) and has played on and produced albums by a wide range of artists, from Emmylou Harris to Elvis Costello. II, his second solo album, is a warm mix of acoustic instruments and subtle use of effects pedals and analog synthesizers. Most of these songs are atmospheric instrumentals that sound like movie scores, especially the brilliant opening cut, “Hop,” the slightly spooky “Eyes In the Heat,” and “Pinky Ring” and “Dudeman” both of which lock into funky, off-kilter grooves that are no less cinematic. Krauss is primarily a bassist, but he also plays keyboards and guitars on this recording, and is joined by some strong guests, including guitarist Bill Frisell, whose sound meshes perfectly with Krauss’ compositions, drummer Matt Chamberlain, and Shawn Colvin, who sings on a cover of Pink Floyd’s “Shine On You Crazy Diamond.”