POP MUSIC REVIEW : Sweethearts Deliver a Passing Performance

Sisters Kristine Arnold and Janis Gill--better known these days as the Sweethearts of the Rodeo--asked the crowd at the Strand last weekend how many could remember when the pair used to do their fine country harmonizing at nearby pizza parlors in their native Manhattan Beach. A healthy number (including Mom and Dad) responded in the affirmative.

OK, so it’s not exactly like Dolly Parton returning to her Tennessee mountain home, but in the countrypolitan world that the now-Nashville-based Sweethearts call home, it’ll pass for roots. To the Sweethearts’ credit, they don’t try to hide their cultural heritage: They offer citified country chic all the way, right down to their designer chaps.

In fact, the most notable number of the 65-minute early show here wasn’t a country song at all but the Sweethearts’ version of the Beatles’ “I Feel Fine.” It wasn’t exactly a bold move, but it wasn’t run-of-the-mill either, especially since they attacked it with vigor and without the kind of evisceration you might expect (thanks largely to the spirited guitar of Kenny Vaughan, who also provided visual interest with his Gary-Busey-as-Buddy-Holly appearance). But it’s a long stretch from that to the legacy of the landmark Byrds album that gave this group its name.

Though the act’s history doesn’t give reason to expect such a quantum leap, some hopes were raised when the Sweethearts made a direct homage to the Byrds’ ground-breaker with the look-alike cover art on their own new “Buffalo Zone.” Just one Gram Parsons song--just one song in the spirit of Gram Parsons--at least would have given a nod in that direction. But it wasn’t to be.

Not that there was anything wrong per se with the performance. Gill’s increased role as a songwriter has brought no drop in quality from what largely had been a reliance on writers-for-hire, and Arnold’s increased prominence as lead vocalist gives the duo more identity, even if she sometimes uses her rich alto more for style than emotion. And there was plenty of sisterly warmth to match the sisterly harmonies (especially in the childhood memories), though much of the perky patter seemed pretty pat.

And while the Beatles song was kinda cool, their failure to include their cover of Los Lobos’ “One Time One Night” was questionable--as was giving the paying customers such a short show (there is no opening act).

But then, never was heard a discouraging word as the apparently quite satisfied fans left the Buffalo Zone and went on into the Redondo Beach night.

The Sweethearts of the Rodeo play Monday and Tuesday at 7 and 10 p.m. at the Crazy Horse Steak House, 1580 Brookhollow Drive, Santa Ana. Tickets: $24.50. Information: (714) 549-1512.