Various

Hootenanny is a big annual festival of rockabilly culture that celebrates the holy trinity of hot girls, hot cars and hot bands. With a fantastic cover illustration by Mitch O'Connell and 13 tracks by today's leaders in the field, you can't really lose with this record. As the album title implies, all the tracks here were recorded live at the 1999 Hootenanny, at the Oak Canyon Ranch in California. The record gets off to a flying start with a good, speedy version of "Five O Ford," by Reverend Horton Heat. It also features ex-Untamed Youth twang-master Deke Dickerson, Social Distortion front-man Mike Ness and ex-Blaster Dave Alvin, all in their solo projects. The Royal Crown Revue add a touch of swing to the mix with their ode to Marlon Brando, "Walkin' Like Brando," which contrasts nicely to the rootsy punk sound of the Cadillac Tramps and their song, "Everybody." Yet another standout is a revved up punkabilly number by the Amazing Crowns, "Halos And Horns." You don't get to be there with all the pretty girls, cold beer and sunshine, but this record is probably as close to being at Hootenanny as a lot of us will ever get.