Rusty Anderson - Born on Earth (Oxide/Red/MRI)

Anderson is one of the two younger guitarists/backing singers that have kicked Paul McCartney in the ass since they joined his touring band in 2001 (the other being Brian Ray ). But he’s actually been in bands himself since age 13, starting in 1972 with Eulogy, including ‘80s band The Living Daylights (with Gregory Markel) and better known ‘90s major label staple Ednaswap . And he wrote tons of songs for these outfits, even while earning a living as an in-demand studio session guitarist for dozens of show biz stars from The Bangles to Little Richard to Carole King to Elton John (he even played prominently on Ricky Martin ’s 1999 smash #1 “Livin’ la Vida Loca”). His second solo LP doesn’t include any cameos from Macca like 2003’s Undressing Underwater , but even without his famous friend, Anderson is capable to taking on the more power-pop ‘68’69-era of the of his employer ( White Album through Abbey Road ), with a slice of the ‘60s Who and even a good bit of ELO and Todd Rundgren thrown in for good measure. His voice is thick and true, with sincere chops and endless love of a hook, also like Sir Paul. Sure, he was already a Beatles fan growing up—and who wasn’t in the ‘60s—but it’s clear that the stunning set lists he’s performed the last decade have seeped into his own creative direction while instilling a stamp of quality control where it comes to a well-made composition. One could easily imagine Apple Records signing this guy 40 years ago if he were born in 1949 instead 1959, much as Badfinger functioned as an alternate, more consistently thicker-sounding Beatles, as his guitar cadences caress some of the Abbey Road side two as do his occasional piano layers. And his mannered but straining voice caries his cocky, consistent tunes like a cousin of The Grays’ stars Jon Brion and Jason Falkner, especially where a song such as “Under a White Star” is concerned. (I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s a friend of theirs, in fact, given that they’re all L.A. vets of this genre.) In the end, Anderson may be in thrall to an old, old sound and style, but just as he does so effortlessly, nightly in his valuable globetrotting gig, he makes it sound forever youthful. (rustyanderson.com)