Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore

When Grammy winner Dave Alvin and Grammy nominee Jimmie Dale Gilmore made the album Downey To Lubbock together in 2018, they wrote the title track as a sort of mission statement. I know someday this old highways gonna come to an end, Alvin sings near the songs conclusion. Gilmore answers: But I know when it does you are going to be my friend.

Six years later, they are serving notice that the old highway hasnt ended yet. We are still standing, no matter what you might hear, they sing on Were Still Here, the final track to their new album Texicali, on Yep Roc Records. Texicali continues to bridge the distance between the two troubadours respective home bases of California (Alvin) and Texas (Gilmore).

The albums geographic theme reflects Alvins repeated journeys to record in Central Texas with Gilmore and the Austin based backing band that has toured with the duo for the past few years. The 11 songs on Texicali also connect the duos shared fondness for a broad range of American music forms. On their own, both have been prominent artists for decades. A philosophical songwriter with a captivating, almost mystical voice, Gilmore co founded influential Lubbock group the Flatlanders in the early 1970s. Alvin first drew attention as a firebrand guitarist and budding young songwriter with Los Angeles roots rockers the Blasters in the early 1980s.

Gilmore is primarily known for left of center country music, while Alvins compass points largely toward old school blues. But theres a lot of ground to cover beyond those foundations, and both artists also are well known for transcending genre limitations. So its not surprising that they have spiked Texicali with cosmic folk narratives, deep R&B grooves and even swinging reggae rhythms. There is such a strange variety through the whole thing, Gilmore says. And I love that.

Theyre both quick to credit the musicians who joined them in the studio as crucial to the sound and spirit of the album. On Downey To Lubbock, they recorded primarily in Los Angeles with a crew that included ringers such as the late Don Heffington on drums and Van Dyke Parks on accordion. This time, though, Alvins longtime rhythm section of drummer Lisa Pankratz and bassist Brad Fordham played a larger role, along with guitarist Chris Miller and keyboardist Bukka Allen. After the time we spent touring, Jimmie and I became members of this band, Alvin says. The band can play just about anything, which the album shows off.

Texicali also found Alvin and Gilmore increasingly focusing on original songs. Among them are Trying To Be Free, which Gilmore wrote more than 50 years ago; Southwest Chief, a collaboration between Alvin and the late Bill Morrissey, and Death of the Last Stripper, which Alvin wrote with Terry Allen and his wife Jo Harvey Allen.

Just as important, however, are the choices they made for non original material. The covers on Texicali include Roll Around by Gilmores longtime friend Butch Hancock; Broke DownEngine and Betty And Dupree from blues greats Blind Willie McTell and Brownie McGhee, respectively; and Stonewall Jacksons Thats Why Im Walking, which marries Gilmores country croon to a New Orleans R&B arrangement. Gilmore says he loves New Orleans music, but its not the music I play. Dave slyly counters: It is now!