Search - Cari Lee, Saddle-Ites :: Brought to You Via Saddle-Ite

From the AMG Staff's "Best of 2006 So Far: Six Months' Worth of Great Music": It's the middle of 2006 already -- the time of year when music critics reflect on which albums from the past six months have been their favorites. After some head-scratching and complicated arithmetic, our editors came up with lists of their favorite releases from the first half of 2006. The albums and songs we chose are diverse, but there are a few consensus picks that can be considered favorites for high spots in the year-end rankings. With their lead vocalist's pinup pretty looks and warm, apple-cheeked vocals, Cari Lee & the Saddle-ites bring to mind no less than June Christy fronting a rockabilly band. It's a delicious combination that the band skillfully exploits on their fourth studio album, "Brought to You Via Saddle-ite". Here, the band delves not only into their usual winning mix of Western swing and rockabilly bop, but also an urbane and rootsy take on classic jazz as on the lesser-known Bing Crosby composition "From Monday On." It doesn't hurt that the Saddle-ites themselves are superb roots stylists, bringing years of punk, rockabilly, and jazz experience to bear on what they've termed "rural boogie." And it's not just Cari Lee who commands the spotlight, as her husband, guitarist/vocalist Steve Merritt, is also a swashbuckling presence, adding his vintage fret lines and gentlemanly croon to the proceedings. Throw in a dream backing ensemble of musicians lead by Austin roots sensation Billy Horton, who also produced the album, and you've got an album dialed in with class.