It appears we can add another music group that takes a lot of inspiration from Route 66.
It’s the Mother Road Trio, based in the Route 66 town of Flagstaff, Arizona. It’s got a new album, “On Route 66,” coming out today during a release party at the Coconino Center for the Arts in Flagstaff.
For good measure, the local newspaper used a photograph of the band that appears to be at the Route 66 ghost town of Two Guns, Arizona.
According to the Arizona Daily Sun newspaper, the Mother Road Trio of veteran musicians Sammy McRae (harmonica), Mike Shiner (upright bass) and Larry Czarnecki (electric and acoustic guitar) performs blues, swing, gypsy soul and jazz.
They formed during an informal jam almost three years ago during a Christmas party and have been gigging ever since.
“On Route 66” contains eight original songs, but it leads off with that Bobby Troup classic that’s been covered hundreds of times over the past 70 years. Here’s a sample of “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66”:
Here’s a more expansive look at what they can do. The Mother Road Trio shows impressive chops:
The only band that’s comparable in its Route 66 roots is Asleep at the Wheel, which has performed “Route 66” at all its shows and co-produced several Route 66-inspired albums, and The Road Crew, which has recorded two albums of original material and performed at a bunch of Route 66 festivals.
(Image of the Mother Road Trio via its website)