Solid Roots Dave Alvin Credits His Musical Personality To Folk Songs Written And Performed Long Ago

On his latest release, singer-songwriter Dave Alvin retraces the roots in roots rock.

“Public Domain: Songs from the Wild Land” contains folk tunes from decades ago, songs like “Shenandoah,” “Delia” and “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down.”

But Alvin, formerly of the Blasters, invigorates the classic tunes with his unexpected musical choices — for example, turning “Shenandoah” into an R&B number and “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down” into an electric Chicago blues tune.

“The songs on this CD, as well as so many other folk songs, have influenced me from childhood to now,” Alvin says in a press release. “How I hear, play and write music has been defined by these songs. Even how I view the world around me has been shaped in many tangible ways by these old folk songs.”

Alvin performs at The Met on Wednesday with singer-songwriter Peter Case. Case is known for his new wave group, the Plimsouls. When that band broke up in the mid-‘80s, Case began performing as a solo acoustic artist. He released “Flying Saucer Blues” last spring.

Alvin played in the roots-rock band the Blasters with his brother, Phil. But Dave left after a few years following some fights with his brother over artistic direction, according to a recent Los Angeles Times article. Alvin joined the punk-rock band X in 1985, but went out on his own a couple of years later and tried to write songs for Nashville stars.

“It was real difficult for me to write those funny-happy songs,” Alvin told the Times. “I just couldn’t do it. I don’t have that skill.”

Although he never sang with the Blasters or X, Alvin discovered that he did have a voice and started focusing on solo recordings.

“Public Domain” completes Alvin’s trilogy of roots-rock recordings, which also includes 1998’s “Blackjack David” and 1994’s “King of California.”

This sidebar appeared with the story: Dave Alvin, with Peter Case

When, where: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at The Met.

Tickets: $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, available through G&B (325-SEAT, 1-800-325-SEAT or www.ticketswest.com).