Eugene Chadbourne's experiments in country, bluegrass and old-time music have been as diverse in approach as they have in the source material he selects. He's recorded faithful renditions of banjo instrumentals, outlaw country with top-notch session players and outr� Americana experimentalism with some of the best improvisers from around the world. But he has perhaps never found a hoedown partner so ready to match his playfully reverent approach as fellow banjo picker Kevin Blechdom.

The trouble with playing Appalachian folk (as is the focus on The Chaddom Blechbourne Experience) for avant audiences is that it, perhaps, can come off to some as more out, more ironic, than it really is. The close harmonies and flattened melodies often heard in bluegrass might come off as cheeky to listeners accustomed to hearing such intervals as "dissonant." But it's the language of mountain music, just as Eastern scales contain notes that don't fall within Western notation. The Chaddom / Blechbourne duo brings that out in ways for the most part surprisingly traditional. Granted neither of them are great singers, and Chadbourne outclasses Blechdom in instrumental prowess, but their takes on "Corina Corina." "Alabama Jubilee" and, nicely, boldly, hilariously, "Froggie Went A Courtin,'" are pure front-porch soul, and Blechdom's vocal wail fleshes out quite wonderfully their version of "The Johnson Boys," a song that has been in Chadbourne's banjo book for years.

Which isn't to suggest that the album - compiled from 2007 performances at Quebec's Victoriaville festival and The Stone in New York - is a purely down-home affair. They do placidly lovely versions of two Syd Barrett songs ("Astronomy Domine" and "Chapter 24") and some fantastic real-time mash-ups incorporating The Beach Boys with The Violent Femmes and Mystikal. And the closing "Dueling Banjos" - which begins with the killing of a cockroach and concludes with the pair killing each other � would have been worthy of Victo's first DVD release. But even as 52 minutes of audio, this experience ranks as one of Chadbourne's insect and western best.