The Meat Purveyors

B-sides and rarities compilations and concert encores are riddled with covers of guilty-pleasure tunes, most of which aren’t worth the muscle energy needed to wink in self-congratulatory acknowledgment of the gesture. When they cover Ratt’s “Round and Round,” though, the Meat Purveyors aren’t joking. Dressed up in the group’s love, harmonies and quick pickin’, the song sounds like a lost bluegrass standard. The Meat Purveyors also give the compelling-cover treatment to Madonna, Elvis and even our area’s own Split Lip Rayfield. Oh, and its originals are outstanding as well, ranging from country weepers to twangy anthems.