1991's "Wicked Game" appeared to be a breakthrough hit for San Francisco-based Chris Isaak, but instead the singer-actor-surfer seems satisfied to be the center of a loyal cult.
"Baja Sessions" does nothing to change this. The album is a stylish throwback to the early '60s. Apparently inspired by a trip by Isaak with the guys to Baja California, and the no-frills music made along the way, the overall production is restrained, verging on acoustic. Isaak even keeps his vocals in careful check, stretching high and reaching low sparingly, and only when the arrangement really benefits. His style still echoes Elvis and Orbison (the later emphasized by a self-assured cover of Roy's "Only the Lonely"), but he's been around long enough for us to accept that it's mostly Isaak."Dancin' " and the final "Think of Tomorrow" are about the only up-tempo cuts on the disc. Another remake, "South of the Border (Down Mexico Way)," was a perfect choice for this album's concept, of course. And Isaak originals (some reworking songs from earlier albums) like "Pretty Girls Don't Cry," "I Wonder," the vaguely Creedence-like "Wrong to Love You" and "Two Hearts" - with a Hammond arrangement reminiscent of organist Dave "Baby" Cortez - add to the impression that this whole collection is a mild blast from the past.