HORSE LATITUDES

Group: Golden Palominos.

Personnel: Anton Fier, drums; Michael Stipe, vocals; Jack Bruce, bass, vocals; Syd Straw, vocals; Jody Harris, guitar; Bernie Worrell, keyboards; Chris Stamey, bass; Peter Blegvad, guitar, vocals; Lisa Herman, keyboards.

History: A group with a revolving-door lineup featuring well-known musicians, the Golden Palominos is the brainchild of drummer Anton Fier, a former member of Pere Ubu, the Feelies and the Lounge Lizards. Fier has also worked as a session musician and touring sideman with such notables as Herbie Hancock (he propelled Hancock’s “Rockit”), Mick Jagger, Laurie Anderson and Yoko Ono. Fier’s first version of the Golden Palominos, a more experimental, “downtown” New York art-rock aggregation, was formed in New York City in 1982 and recorded an album for Celluloid Records. The ’85 recording edition of the Palominos, heard on last year’s “Visions of Excess” album (a top critical favorite), included R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe, Richard Thompson, Carla Bley, former Cream member Jack Bruce, John Lydon and producer Bill Laswell. Included on the current tour are Bernie Worrell (who’s played with Parliament/Funkadelic), dB’s leader Chris Stamey, Jody Harris of the Raybeats and singer-songwriter Peter Blegvad.

Sound: The Palominos’ sound does not fit into convenient brackets, but the group is close to hard (as in tough and dense) rock, taking the melodic and neo-psychedelic elements of ‘60s rock and putting them in an ‘80s perspective. Songs like the reworking of Moby Grape’s “Omaha” and Stipe’s “Boy (Go)” feature shifting dynamics and guitar textures balancing elements of dreaminess and tough rhythmic overdrive. Of special interest are the little-known but resourceful songwriter-singer Blegvad and newcomer Straw, who adds compellingly countrified, crystalline vocals. Her duet with Bruce on “Silver Bullet” balances bluesy bombast and ethereal longing. Fier’s rare combination of talents is indeed visionary.

Shows: The Coach House, Tuesday; the Palace, Wednesday. (Palomino members Stamey and Blegvad play at McCabe’s tonight.)