Before MTV created Unplugged,
X released a shrewd blend of country, traditional and original songs, as
the Knitters, minus
Billy Zoom plus
Johnny Ray Bartel and
Dave Alvin. No longer struggling to incorporate their love of roots musics into their own hard rock sound,
X gave over to the acoustic project
Poor Little Critter on the Road with songs like "Someone Like You" and "Cryin' But My Tears Are Far Away."
John Doe's version of
Merle Haggard's "Silver Wings" may be the definitive version, and the previously recorded "The New World" and "Love Shack" sound wonderful in this spare context -- think
the Carter Family. ~ Denise Sullivan