JD McPherson – The Warm Covers EP, Vol. 2 (New West)

Oklahoma-born JD McPherson is an exuberant performer who combines the headlong abandon of early rock’n’roll and r’n’b with a crooner’s attention to melody, like a hopped-up Roy Orbison on a rampage. To boot, he writes exciting songs that crackle with roadhouse spirit, but never feel nostalgic. McPherson’s most recent longplayer, 2018’s Socks, has the distinction of being the rare Christmas album that sounds good any time of year. Until his next LP of original material, The Warm Covers EP, Vol. 2 serves as a terrific stopgap, offering dynamic versions of other folks’ tunes, including: Big Al Downing’s rollicking “Just Around the Corner”; a trance-like take on Iggy Pop’s “Lust for Life”; Art Neville’s greasy shuffle “Let’s Rock”; Pixies’ deranged “Manta Ray”; and Irma Thomas’ tender “It’s Raining.” Now it’s time for some new songs of his own!