John Wesley Harding- When the Sun Comes Out

This song's day in the sun is over.

I'd managed to resist salvaging this CD from its ubiquitous presence in bargain bins for years. But while caught up in a Christmas shopping binge a couple weeks ago, I finally claimed a copy at a dollar store. The 1993 release finds Harding when he's still trying to decide whether he should mimic Elvis Costello or Graham Parker. He's always been likeable, though, and Harding has since matured into a less strident Billy Bragg. This sparse arrangement was produced by Steve Berlin and features Greg Leisz's always wonderful steel guitar work. It's lovely.