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Dave Alvin's fourth solo album is described as a "folk-blues record," of previously recorded material from his days with the Blasters and X and some new tracks recorded with friends. Produced by guitarist Greg Leisz who also plays on most tracks such as "Fourth of July" and "Border Radio" as well as duets with Syd Straw on "What am I Worth" and labelmate Rosie Flores on "Goodbye Again." Other guests include Jimmie Wood on Harmonica on "Barn Burning," and members of the Guilty men, his current touring band. Other songs include the new "King of California," the John Doe songwriting collaboration "Little Honey," Tom Russel's "Blue Wing," George Jones "What am I Worth," Memphis Slim's "Mother Earth," and the rearranged and obscure "East Texas Blues" originally by Whistlin' Alex Moore. In reasoning the reworking of previously recorded songs Dave says, "My vocals changing, arrangements changing, sometimes even meanings changing. I cringe when I hear myself on my first solo album, Romeo's Escape. I wanted to get the vocals right this time, record the definitive version of each song."
In the album's liner notes, Dave says:
Current trends and fads aside, I've wanted to do a collection of striped down versions of old, new, borrowed and blue songs for quite some time. Often by choice, but also out of economic necessity, much of the touring I've done in the past few years has been just me and a guitar (or with Greg Leisz as fellow traveller/accompanist). I noticed at these gigs my vocals changing, arrangements changing, sometimes even meanings changing. It was also obvious that while some people only wanted to hear me play electric rock n' roll, other people enjoyed hearing the lyrics for maybe the first time. I guess this recording is for them.
King of California Notes/Questions/Comments