Speed of Sound

During the course of her underappreciated career, Rosie Flores has worn the hat of sweet singer-songwriter, hard-country traditionalist, and rockabilly torchbearer. On her seventh solo album, she manages to marry all of her strengths, and take a few risks to boot. With her tart, twangy voice and smart guitar playing--she's nearly as good a lead picker as a singer--she moves nimbly from a Davis Sisters jaunt to a swinging Billie Holiday homage, and then to the obscure, early Buck Owens rockabilly bop "Hot Dog." Even better are the Bo Diddley-style original "Don't Take It Away" and the peppy Robbie Fulks tune "I Push Right Over." Producer Rick Vito trades takeoff guitar licks with Flores and finds tasteful settings for these sometimes sinewy, sometimes rocking, and always soulfully sung performances. --Roy Kasten