Nashville-based Phil Madeira comes across as a kind of mix between Leon Russell down home roots with Randy Newman observances of life on this album as he sings stories and plays Crescent City styled piano with a core team of Chris Donohue/b and Bryan Owings/dr and a guest list including John Scofield on guitar. Phil and his mates have been part of Emmylou Harris’ band for awhile, and the downhome spirit is palpable here, just with a feel of the Crescent City more than the Cumberland gap. He can tell personal tales with his avuncular voice and piano as on “Native Son” and “Barrington” while showing how to swing 8 to the bar on “Wide Eyed Dream.” His two fisted jumbo New Orleans beat is infectious, be it on the good timey “Crescent Park” with Scofield, or slinky horns on “A Rhode Island Yankee…” and “Wicked Job.” The music has an infectious joy, as sweet as a coffee and beignet at Café du Monde. Worth looking for!