Chuck E. Weiss, Extremely Cool (Slow River/Rykodisc) 9
While mining similar roots-rock territory (especially New Orleans R&B) as Cesar Rosas, fellow L.A. native Chuck E. Weiss approaches the grittier sound of the Latin Playboys with a little help from his partner in crime Tom Waits. Best known as the title character of Rickie Lee Jones' 1979 "Chuck E.'s in Love," this beatnik blues hipster's formative teenage years were spent touring with Lightnin' Hopkins. He befriended Waits in 1972 and penned several soundtracks. Extremely Cool is his first recording in eighteen years. He speaks, moans, growls and yowls through songs full of parody ("Rocking In The Kibbitz Room") and humor ("Pygmy Fund"). Not surprisingly the best two -- the earnestly soulful "It Rains On Me" and "Do You Know What I Idi Amin" -- are co-written by Waits.
