Lone Prairie

Guitarist Corey Christiansen shines on his new album, which includes new renditions of the title track, "El Paso," and others from the folk/country canon, as well as three originals and Ennio Morricone's "Il Grande Massacro." Joined by pianist Steve Allee and others, Christiansen seems to meld influences from Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell into his own voice. He pretty much plays "Streets of Laredo" as straight as a jazz guitarist can, while turning the traditional "In the Pines" into an eerie, almost psychedelic tune. He rocks out on the blues of "Sittin' on Top of the World," but wisely avoids doing it Grateful Dead style. In short, Lone Prairie offers fresh variations on what a jazz album can be.