Old Crow Medicine Show

Old Crow plays old-time string band music infused with rambunctious punk spirit. Medicine Show-wise, they honed their skills wandering, busking for gas money, and this CD feels like one of their legendary street-corner performances. Produced by David Rawlings (Gillian Welch guitarist/partner), O.C.M.S. is as stark and live-sounding as the first three Welch CDs. It features a couple of inspired originals, but really the Medicine Show’s milieu is reworking old gems like “C.C. Ryder” and “Tell it to Me” (just one of what they call “Koe-Kane songs”). To get the straight dope on Old Crow, though, ask people who saw the band open for Welch last fall at Chico State’s Laxson Auditorium—you may have to remind them that she was there. Not only did Old Crow steal the show, it sold out of CDs in about 10 minutes. OCMS is a hot ticket; step right up and see the show.