Beechwood Sparks: Across the River of Stars (digital outlets)

Looking for that album which brings to mind the Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers, the solo careers of Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark, maybe even some of Tom Petty's country-flavoured Southern rock?

Then Beechwood Sparks out of California are your band because they recognise that the wheel is pretty serviceable as it is and doesn't need reinventing.

With jangling country guitars, close harmonies (both deployed on Gentle Samurai here which namechecks' Clark's Silver Raven) and concise country-rock songs Beechwood Sparks conjure up a period when the Mamas and the Papas played on rock radio, the Easy Rider soundtrack was in every home and marijuana was less potent.

Produced by the Black Crowes' Chris Robinson, Across the River of Stars also captures those autumnal moods which have long been a thread in country-rock (the psychedelic Gem and and dreamy Faded Glory at the midpoint).

Nothing new about this wheel – no steel rims or white wall – just a reliable wheel to get you out on the highway near the coast as the afternoon sinks into the sunset.

Lovely.

.

You can hear and buy this album at bandcamp here