Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore TexiCali 2LP

Behind blistering blues licks, TexiCali doubles as a roadtrip across Grammy winner Dave Alvin and Grammy nominee Jimmie Dale Gilmore's beloved home states and the memories within, honoring shared musical influences, friends gone too soon and all they've endured along the way. These folk heroes have now evolved their unbreakable bond into a fully-fledged musical and songwriting partnership.

TexiCali continues to bridge the distance between the two troubadours' respective home bases of California (Alvin) and Texas (Gilmore).

Its 11 songs also connect their shared fondness for a broad range of American music forms. On their own, both have been prominent artists for decades. A philosophical songwriter with a captivating, almost mystical voice, Gilmore co-founded influential Lubbock group the Flatlanders in the early 1970s. Alvin first drew attention as a firebrand guitarist and budding young songwriter with Los Angeles roots-rockers the Blasters in the early 1980s.

They're both quick to credit the musicians who joined them in the studio as crucial to the sound and spirit of the album. On Downey To Lubbock, they recorded primarily in Los Angeles with a crew that included ringers such as the late Don Heffington on drums and Van Dyke Parks on accordion. This time, though, Alvin's longtime rhythm section of drummer Lisa Pankratz and bassist Brad Fordham played a larger role, along with guitarist Chris Miller and keyboardist Bukka Allen.

"After the time we spent touring, Jimmie and I became members of this band," Alvin says. "The band can play just about anything, which the album shows off."

TexiCali also found Alvin and Gilmore increasingly focusing on original songs. Among them are "Trying to Be Free," which Gilmore wrote more than 50 years ago; "Southwest Chief," a collaboration between Alvin and the late Bill Morrissey; and "Death of the Last Stripper," which Alvin wrote with Terry Allen and his wife Jo Harvey Allen.

To paraphrase that old candy commercial, Alvin and Gilmore are two great tastes who taste great together, with Alvin's salt and Gilmore's sweetness accenting one another very well indeed.