Church Of The Falling Rain
It was once a given that oldsters couldn't rock & roll. Until the genre had been around three or four decades, however, how was anyone to really know? Now, at least on the arena level, there are plenty of graybeards still making a stir. So the next question is, Can middle-aged musicians develop into a viable group later in life? The Stone Coyotes make a pretty strong case that you don't need a slew of old hits and a tour sponsorship to win new fans in your September years. The group is fronted by guitarist-vocalist Barbara Keith, who released a major-label album in the early 1970s and went on to pen songs for the likes ofBarbra StreisandandLowell George. Her husband and his thirtysomething son from another marriage round out the trio. The Coyotes work a simple formula to perfection: their music has a bluesy, punky edge, and they eschew beautifying production touches. Keith has a commanding voice that's a little reminiscent ofGrace Slickin her prime, and she pens gutsy, stick-in-your-craw tunes. What was it thatVan Morrisonsaid?  It's too late to stop now. Well, it's also not too late to start.--Steven Stolder