Following the overwhelmingly positive reception of the first two instalments in their CaliAmericana series, Santa Barbara Records continues its heartfelt tribute to California’s rich musical roots with “CaliAmericana, Vol. 3”.
This thoughtfully curated compilation honors the legacy of David Crosby, and once again brings together a selection of Central Coast artists. Each musician contributes an original song along with a Crosby cover. I really love this concept as it promotes modern creativity alongside paying tribute to the greats, perfectly balancing modernity and heritage.
Opening the collection, brothers Chris and John Beland deliver a faithful rendition of “Eight Miles High,” perfectly capturing the toned-down beauty of the verses. However, their version upgrades that killer guitar solo, getting a crisper and more powerful sound in part thanks to the wonders of modern recording technology.
Kathleen Sieck’s ethereal voice stands out on “The Universe Knows You’re Mine” and her cover of “Lee Shores” as she leans into the simplicity that is the essence of folk rock. Lee Shores in particular is as mesmerizing as the original, and pulls you into a rare, meditative space that invites the listener to sit still and listen close.
1. Eight Miles High (Chris Beland and John Beland)
2. Oh, Nightingale (Shawn Thies)
3. Dangerous Night (Jonathan Firey)
4. Lee Shores (Kathleen Sieck)
5. Velvety Jesus (Glen Phillips)
6. Way Beyond the Blue (Chris Beland and John Beland)
7. Dirty David (Jonathan Firey)
8. The Universe Knows You’re Mine (Kathleen Sieck)
9. Guinnevere (Shawn Thies)
10. Music is Love (Glen Phillips)
Glen Phillips’ standout performance was his original “Velvety Jesus,” a dynamic and colorful track that still retains that classic Americana sound. His cover of “Music Is Love” perfectly captures the optimism and spirit of Crosby’s more accessible side, and is a perfect album ender with its warm production that recalls the AM radio era.
Jonathan Firey brings a different sound to the project as his original “Dirty David” brings a dark and haunting edge to the collections. The vocal harmonies and string accompaniment are the perfect touches to add flavor to the album.
And finally, vocalist Shawn Thies provides two of the album’s most emotional moments with “Oh, Nightingale” and her gorgeous cover of “Guinnevere.” The richness of her voice just draws you into the tracks and with its faithfully minimalist instrumentation, I’d argue that Guinnevere is actually better than the original.
CaliAmericana, Vol. 3 is more than a tribute album. It’s a living, breathing artifact of California’s folk-rock lineage; a record that understands where it comes from and where it wants to go. Whether you’re a Crosby fan or simply in search of good music, this album offers a rare combination of depth, soul, and sincerity.
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