A native of New York state, Ted Russell Kamp now calls California home. And it`s a good thing too since his music sounds like it was inspired by the Golden State`s long, storied history of country-infused rock. Hints of The Eagles intertwine with tunes bearing Gram-esque melodies. Goodtime roadhouse rockers cozy up against lazy honky-tonkers evoking the burgeoning movement of `70s-era So-Cal Americana. Modern alt. country is no more than a shimmering `lectric guitar chord away, as made apparent in the welcoming lead-off track "Blue Eyed Soul", introducing a rich, weathered voice which recalls Steve Earle somewhat. Kamp has cut his teeth locally as a bassist with some hot notables, including Eugene Edwards, Jonny Kaplan and Shooter Jennings. And they all return the favor by guesting on NorthSouth here and there, with Edwards playing guitar on "just about everything." Pedal-steel player Eric Heywood does his thing and a whole series of local guitarists and vocalists leave their mark on this fine disc. (PoMo)
