Stay Out Late With the Lucky Stars (Fate, 2005)

After a hiatus of five years, west coast swing outfit The Lucky Stars is back with its sophomore release. There's been a fair bit of change since their debut; only band leader Sage Guyton and steel guitar whiz Jeremy Wakefield remain from the Stars' original configuration. They've been joined by ex-Fly-Rite Boy Wally Hersom and by Dave Stuckey and added guitarist Russell Blake to the regular lineup as well.

What hasn't changed is the band's crisp, vintage sound and fine playing, and Guyton's expressive croon. Guyton once again provides all of the band's original material, heavier on uptempo numbers such as the aptly-named "Rarin' to Go," the jumping "Real Good Lookin'" and the goofy "Am I In Love (Or Am I Just Hungover)?") with a few ballads for change of pace. Wakefield takes over the vocal duties on covers of the Homer & Jethro romp "The Tattooed Lady" and the Bob Wills-via-Cindy Walker song "Don't Count Your Chickens." (Lucky Stars, 1821 Lobdell Place, Los Angeles, Cal. 90026, 323-663-5825)