CD review The Gourds Old Mad Joy
     Think of Old Mad Joy as beyond Gourdian. The basics were already in place: Claude Bernard’s accordion and keyboards bring on the caustic boogie and blown out bellows. Kevin Russell’s original brand of gospel spirituals contrast with Jimmy Smith’s dark-and-twisted imagery that suggests whistling while walking down a dark alley.
         Max Johnston’s multiple-instrumental arsenal including banjo, rubboard, mandolin, and fiddle keeps the sound honest. Keith Langford’s drumming puts the whole train into locomotion. Round up to the nearest whole number and your ears will be hearing
 Old Mad Joy  by the Goards.