Portland, meet Memphis.

And vice versa. The folks at Memphis' Yellow Dog Records, a vibrant American-roots-music label that sprang to life in 2002, are hearing something in the Rose City they like. Three Portland-area artists -- Mark Lemhouse, Terry Robb and Mary Flower -- have released, or are about to release, CDs on Yellow Dog, whose mission is to breathe fresh life into a traditional, often timeworn genre.

Terry Robb

A well-recorded Portland guitarist who's earned a stellar reputation in these parts as not only a player and bandleader, but also as a producer and educator, Robb is releasing "Resting Place."

Few players can touch his finger-picking abilities. Though a fiery electric player as well, his musical depth and intimacy comes across more profoundly when he's cradling a big-box six-string or National steel. Robb journeyed to Memphis to record "Resting Place," toggling between solo-guitar-and-vocal numbers, instrumentals and ensemble playing. He drew on Jerry Lee Lewis producer Roland Janes as well as drummer Willie Hall, and Charlie Wood on piano (both labelmates at Yellow Dog who perform with the Bo-Keys), plus North Mississippi All-Stars bassist Paul Taylor.

Robb's "Madison Avenue Shuffle" sparkles with rambunctious energy. "Resting Place" is country-funkified fun, rendered on a resonator guitar. A highlight: "Joe Kirby Blues," which shows Robb pushing the boundaries of blues into the dreamily melancholy by way of deft fingerpicking.

If there's a complaint, it's Robb's vocals. He's never been a strong singer, but neither is he an interesting enough stylist to hold attention, though "Louise," a minor-key blues, is a cut above.