Jeffrey and the boys specialize on one of my favorite kinds of rock and roll. You just put a few chords together, write some great lyrics, sing and play with great fervor, and off you go. On radio these days, it’s called “Americana.” It includes the likes of Mellencamp, John Hiatt… you know, the fellas I like to call the sons of Dylan. Whatever you call it, Halford can carry it off.

Halford is the leader of the band. He wrote everything, plays lead and sings. Check out his lean, hungry work on “California.” Bare-bones rock and roll at its finest. He also plays a mean slide on cuts like “On A Roll” an d”Beauty in You.” Once you hear the stories in songs like “On A Roll,” “Drivin’ Alone,” and the wonderful “Bad Luck,” you’ll have no doubts about his songwriting. I’m not sure where he came from, or if he’s been around for awhile, but I hope he sticks around and makes some big noises nationally. Songs like “Stella Guitar” could supply rock and roll with a huge kick in the rear end that it so desperately needs right now. It just might bring the roots back to rock and roll.

For info on how to get the record, contact Shoeless Records at (415) 753-1707, or write to 74 Agus Way, San Francisco, CA 94127.