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Caroline Herring - Golden Apples of the Sun - Signature
Sounds Records - Caroline Herring’s fourth album, Golden Apples of the Sun is her most intimate and mature to date.
Combining haunting originals with some surprising new takes on old standards, Herring has created an album that at once recalls
the folk heyday of the 1960s and 70s while also sounding entirely fresh and new. As usual, Herring draws inspiration from
a wide range of sources. The album’s lead song, “Tales of the Islander” is vintage Herring, an inspired
and inspirational ode to the Gulf Coast folk artist Walter Anderson and the closing track, “The Great Unknown”,
recalls a passage from Dante’s Inferno. She also includes beautifully crafted, intimate songs such as “The Dozens”
and “Abuelita”, drawn from her personal experience. Perhaps the most unexpected aspect of the new album, however,
is the tribute Herring pays to some female songwriters and singers who influenced her. Herring’s work has always been
identified with the traditions of her native South, yet on this album she filters the sounds and inspiration of Joni Mitchell
and Judy Collins through her own distinctive musical sensibilities. Long-time Herring fans are sure to appreciate her moving
cover of Mitchell’s “Cactus Tree” as well as the traditional bluegrass tune “Long Black Veil”
and the blues classic “See See Rider.” Herring also does her version of “True Colors,” a song
made famous by Cyndi Lauper, giving a newfound strength and directness to the pop song. Her haunting vocals and sparse instrumentation
give this an acoustic, personal feeling. A moving, lovely collection of songs. Find her at www.carolineherring.com.
Deadstring Brothers - Sao Paulo - Bloodshot Records - Compared by critics to early Stones and The Black Crowes, this motley crew
of country-blues rockers from the wasteland that was Detroit carry on the tradition of what rock n’ roll was supposed
to always be. With the heart & soul of singer/guitarist Kurt Marschke, Travis Harrett on drums, and the brothers Cullum
(from London), Spencer on guitar and Jeff on bass, these guys are the reincarnation of 70’s rock with a mix of blood
n’ guts and greasy soul. From the title cut, with it’s stoner leanings, it’s ‘balls to the wall”
from start to finish. “Smile” is as close to anything from “Exile on Main Street” I’ve ever
heard, an amazing rebirth of a lost sound, but with the tinkling piano and stinging guitars on “Houston” they
take it to another level. The moaning “Can’t Make It Through The Night” is Delta blues at it’s best,
and the tear-drenched “Adalee” is a mournful love song that shows they can slow it down and still keep the beat.
On retro “The River” you get a deja-vu of The Band while wading into high water, and Spencer’s gritty guitar
work shines on “It’s A Shame”. An almost gospel-feel highlights “Yesterday’s Style”, with
it’s early country influences, and they close with “Always A Friend Of Mine”, a heartfelt ballad that let’s
Spencer’s slide guitar take the spotlight. I can’t be more serious when I tell all you NOB rockers, this is as
real as it gets. Trust me on this one, and google them and listen to some of their music. You’ll be convinced that you’ve
got to have this in your collection. Find them at www.bloodshotrecords.com.
Lathan Moore - Love In Your Life - Blue Steel Records - This young artist from Illinois brings a fresh
voice to the scene and this debut album, well-produced by Norro Wilson & Rick Holt is a collection of new country songs
with a mix of honky-tonk good-time swingers, youthful heartbreak, family ties and a touch or two of real humor. The leg-slapping,
honky-tonkin’ “Beautiful Girl” has a great guitar beat, and the tender ballad “You Can’t Leave
Me Like This” shows his vulnerability with a tale of lost love. The tongue-in-cheek “Shot Down” tells a
humorous tale of a guy who just can’t win, and “Cornfield Cadillac” reflects on a young boys imagination
with an abandoned car that “took me around the world”. The steel guitar-driven “Angel Fire” is a dancehall
two-stepper that should catch on big time, and the title cut is an anthem to the true love we all have for family and friends.
The rowdy, hard rocking “I’d Rather Be Lucky Than Good” is a beer-drinking fishing buddy cut that features
stinging guitar licks and kicks butt, and the usual bad news from the family is given a good lickin’ on “That’s
The News” while the final cut “Even Angels Have Bad Days” is a feel-good tale about when his baby has the
blues. With a great voice and good production, this debut should put him in good position for airplay. In fact, I heard “Cornfield
Cadillac” last week on a local station. So put on your boots, grab your gal and head for the dance hall. His web
site can be found at www.lathanmoore.com.
The Stone Coyotes - My Turn - Red Cat Records - Our good friends, the rocking
little trio from New England are back in town for some gigs, including Dosey Doe, and they brought a new release with them.
For those who aren’t familiar with them, the band is fronted by Barbara Keith on guitar and vocals, with husband Doug
Tibbles on drums and son John “Strike A Pose” Tibbles on bass. As usual, it leans toward the loud three-chord
rockers they are famous for, but Barb managed to sneak a couple of her more tender tunes in as well. After 10 album covers
featuring Doug’s cool graphics, they finally put a portrait of themselves on this cover, and it’s a stunning photo.
The title cut is an autobiographical take on their ‘gigs from Hell’ that has a bar owner asking them ‘can
you keep it down” and Barb replying, “For crying’ out loud, we’re a rock and roll band,” but
she returns to her more serious side with “The Boy From The Rodeo”, a real tear-jerker about an Okie gal who loses
her cowboy when he’s thrown from a horse at the rodeo. They shake it up on “I Sympathize With You” and the
bouncy “Ship Of Fools” has to be my favorite cut in this batch. They bring out fire & brimstone on “Threw
A Rock In The River” where they give the devil his due, and they “trip the light fantastic” in the nostalgic
“Almost Sounds Like California”, a dreamy ballad about days gone by. Tales of woe take the center stage on “Spin
Around The Sun” and the final cut, “Roses and Bones” relates to lost loved ones and the stories they could
tell. The only cover is “Disturbia”, a hit for Rihanna, but Barb puts her own spin on it. As usual, an eclectic
mix of fun, stories that matter and lots of great music! Highly recommended. Find them at www.stonecoyotes.com
Robert Frith - Robert Frith - T-Vel Records - Since we last saw Robert at The Blue Door years
ago, he has collected a slew of awards, including Texas Music Awards Singer/Songwriter of the Year Award in 2007 & 2008,
and this new release reminds us of just what a beautiful voice he has, and the wonderful music he writes and records. His
smooth voice and spare arrangements allow you to understand every word as he weaves his tales of love, hope, fun and games.
Robert has assembled a stellar cast of performers on this album and it shows, as the sound is amazing. He opens with “Law
Dog”, “Miss Saturday Night” is a feisty two-stepper about the “queen of the neon lights”, and
a sad ballad tells the tale of “I Can’t Go To Mexico”. “Just Like That” is a classic love song
for those who have found that rare kind of love we all long for, and he rocks out on “Ain’t No Big Thing”
with some classic guitar licks. The laid-back feel of “Tomorrow” tells a tale of getting your act together (maybe),
and he continues the mellow mood on the tender ballad “A Better Me” with it’s promise of making things
right so he can “be there for you, I can be a better me”. He takes us back to Louisiana on “King Crab”,
a Zydeco-style swinger, featuring some boiling hot accordion by Eustac Ledet, then to the Mississippi Delta with finger-pickin’
acoustic blues on “Rainwater”. He slows it back down on “Diamond In The Rough” with some nice slide
guitar and wailing harp backup by Patrick Weickenand, then it’s back to the country on “More Everyday”,
a smooth love ballad. He finishes with a soulful folksy tale of being “tired of working my ass off” for nothing
on “Creature of Habit”, a fitting finale to this delightful group of songs. I can’t say enough, so go to
his web site and check it out yourself. And tell him I sent you! Find him and his music at his web site at www.robertfrith.com
Jeremy Parsons - doggondest feelin' - PCG
Records - This young artist from San Antonio was raised on old-time country music and now he pays tribute in a genuine and
very special way. With a voice that was made to warble the classic country sounds of years ago, and a wardrobe to make Porter
Wagoner proud (he sports a one-of-a-kind bedazzled blazer by Manuel), he will amaze you with his sound. He has the voice with
that little quiver that makes old time country the way it was, and he uses it well. He is also a true nostalgia buff, and
it shows in spades here. On this release, he opens with “The Night Hank Williams Died”, as he reveals the impact
Hank had in such a short period of time, and the title cut takes a humorous look at an oncoming breakup with his baby. The
very personal story of “Hide Her Angel Wings” is a stirring tribute to his mother, with some nice steel guitar
to give it a ‘perfect’ touch, and the bleak story of “Out Comes The Sun” relates to bad relationships
and how much better you’d be without her. More love gone bad vibes come out in “Can’t Recall The Fall”,
and with a stirring Dobro opening on “Since My Baby Left Me” about losing his girl in this bouncy, tongue-in-cheek
cut with nice fiddle highlights. He yearns for a girl done wrong, as he tells her “I Could Be Your Pick Me Up”
(“after all his put you downs”), and “When My Old Man Was Young” is his lively ode to days gone by.
The bonus track of the title cut sounds like an old 78 rpm record. In fact, the CD itself looks like a mini 33 rpm album,
quite a nice nostalgic touch. This is the real deal, folks, so check him out. His web site can be found at www.jeremyparsonsmusic.com
Reckless Kelly - Somewhere in Town - Wep Roc Records - It amazes me that it has been 14
years since the release of Reckless Kelly’s debut, the youthful masterpiece Millican. That album invented the genre
of Texas rock/country that has led to dozens of similar bands since then. Reckless Kelly has remained the best through several
more albums and increasing popularity. Millican has always remained special and remains one of my all-time favorites from
any genre. With the release
of, Somewhere in Time, Reckless Kelly has again raised the bar for all of the similar bands to follow. When I review an album,
I like to listen several times without reading notes and became very positive about this album after doing this. I recognized
Joe Ely’s voice on the track, “The Ballad of Elano De Leon”, but there was another voice later in the album
I couldn’t get. Turns out it was Pinto Bennett, an Idaho cowboy music master that Willy and Cody Braun grew up listening
to. Further more, every song on the album is written by Pinto Bennett. Fooled me twice.
Doing an album of covers is a departure for Reckless Kelly, with almost all of its songs usually written by vocalist
Willy Braun, either by himself or with others. But although they might be Pinto Bennett’s songs, they have definitely
been reworked in the Reckless Kelly style. Much more true country than Reckless Kelly fans are used to, the tracks are strong
from beginning to end. Highlights include Joe Ely chipping in on “The Ballad of Elano De Leon”, the type of storyteller
song that Joe does so well himself. The first single from the album, “Best Forever Yet” is slower tempo poetry
that draws the listener to every word. I would have lost the mortgage on the house if someone bet me that “Pure Quill”
wasn’t written by Willy Braun because it is the tight country/rocker that he does so well. “Thelma”
with Pinto Bennett himself on lead vocal, is a classic country tearjerker. The title track is as fine a country anthem as
you are likely to hear. Somewhere in Time should be available in stores and
most online sources. It is also available at www.recklesskelly.com. (reviewed by Craig Jones)
The Bottle Rockets - Lean Forward - Bloodshot Records - True to their Midwest roots, these guys continue to
crank out the stories of small town American life with the gritty tales and rocking sounds they are famous for. Now in their
15th year, these hard working rockers are best seen live, but their albums have always made my best 10 lists. This will be
the 4th one I’ve reviewed and I thank the folks at Bloodshot for keeping these guys in the mix. Opening with stinging
guitar, “The Long Way” has a Dave Edmunds feel and sound, but with their own stamp on it, and with a 60’s
Stones sound, “Shame On Me” tells the too familiar story of a screwed up relationship despite all the good intentions
in the world and features some great guitar solos. The retro Bo Diddley chank-a-chank on “Nothin’ But A Driver”
turns it into a hard-rockin’ tune with gutsy roots, and they turn to ZZ Top licks on “Hard Times” with a
dual guitar attack that lifts your spirits. They get a more bouncy feel on “Done It All” and “Get On The
Bus” with some amazing guitar work on “Bus” that is a highlight for me. The gospel-feel of “Open Your
Eyes” shows that they can slow it down and still sound great, and the serious “Kid Next Door” tells a sobering
tale of a war coming home and how it affects us all, as they relate that “he ain’t coming home no more.”
The scruffy punk feel of their early work comes out strong on “Way It Used To Be” with some hardcore ax-grinding.
The slower cuts include “Slip Away” with a reggae beat, and “Solitaire”, and sad little number. This
is living proof that they are still in their prime and can still dish it out. Highly recommended. Find them at www.bottlerocketsmusic.com. (reviewed
by Dave Miller)
Mary Allen-Keating - Put A Little Texas In Your Swing - Self-produced
- Mary Allen-Keating, who grew up in Conroe, has had great success with her alter ego performance of Patsy Cline, which she
will revisit soon with the “Always...Patsy Cline” shows that are featured in our cover story. But her current
album, Put a Little Swing in Your Texas allows the real Mary Allen-Keating to stand up as well.
The title track, written by Mary-Allen Keating, is exactly what its name implies - a lot of good Texas swing. “Bill
Bailey” is neat version of the old standard. The album is highlighted by the second Mary Allen-Keating penned song.
“Let’s Make Music in the Country”, which I understand with different lyrics was originally under consideration
to be a campaign theme song for Kinky Friedman. No matter what it used to be, this is a clever song with a great hook. Her
version of the Ernest Tubb’s masterpiece, “Waltz Across Texas” remains close to the original, but Mary’s
voice puts a new shine on it. Patsy Cline is well represented and showcases
pretty much Patsy’s most famous songs. Included covers are “Walking After Midnight” and of course the Willie
Nelson penned “Crazy”. Both of these songs should please even the most devout Patsy Cline fans. “You Belong
To Me”, which Mary Allen-Keating nails, was recorded by Patsy Cline, but it was a much bigger hit on the Pop Charts
with a version by Jo Stafford reaching #1 in both the United States and England, the first record by a female to reach #1
in the UK. It went high on the pop charts with different artists at least another five times. Maybe Mary Allen-Keating could
make it number six. The album features the fine musicianship of Herb Remington
and The River Road Boys and is nicely produced. Put A Little Texas In Your
Swing is available at www.maryallenkeating.com. (reviewed by Craig Jones)
Monte Montgomery - Monte Montgomery -
Eminent Records - The Austin-based songwriter and guitar whiz has released his seventh studio album and it’s a showcase
of his amazing guitar work and powerful vocals. Named as one of Guitar Player Magazine’s “Top 50 All-Time Greatest
Guitarists” and the only artist to win the “Best Acoustic Guitar Player” at the Austin Music Awards seven
years straight, Monte Montgomery is world renowned for his dizzying fretboard wizardry. On his self-titled release, Montgomery
tastefully demonstrates a guitar flair that is mind-blowingly technically proficient without sounding overbearing, self-absorbed
or pretentious. This album is a collection of love songs and straight-out rockers, where the artist is the author of 11 of
the album’s 12 tracks. From the opener, the swampy, slippery, slide-driven “River” to the beautiful, well-orchestrated
“Love’s Last Holiday” through the album’s closer, the well-crafted, dark “Midlife Matinee,”
Montgomery exhibits his obvious songwriting chops, melding Motown soul with modern rock and holding onto enough twang to impress
any fan. Montgomery is solidly backed, by the rhythm section of David Piggott on bass and Phil Bass on drums and the addition
of guest Reese Wynans (organ) on the Latin-tinged “Moonlight Tango” and the funky, jazzy “Could’ve
Loved You Forever.” The whole release highlights the amazing guitar work, but don’t overlook the great lyrics
and strong vocals. Highly recommended. Find him at www.montemontgomery.com.
Graham Parker - Imaginary Television - Bloodshot Records - For over 30 years, Graham Parker has been slinging
a signature sound across continents and airwaves that has rightly earned him a spot in the pantheon of truly original and
influential figures in rock and roll. Since his early days with his band the Rumour (with whom he has two albums in Rolling
Stone’s “Top 100 Albums of All Time”), Graham has coupled punk’s energy with his deeply rooted love
of American R&B, country and soul music. He’s got a snotty barroom brawler’s rasp and sneer, a soulman’s
swagger and an ear for hooks and pop songcraft. On this release he combines indelible hooks and a penchant for the British
blues-rock revival with a touch of reggae and biting political commentary to make this. The catchy “It’s My Party”
evokes a 60’s pop event, and in “Snowgun” he tells a tale of snowboarding bum, Hideo Smith in a slow-burning
band-like jam, perfect for crisp days on the slope. Telling the story of a fork lift driver, “Broken Skin” takes
us to a Wyoming strip-mining outpost, and “Bring Me A Heart Again” puts us in the mind of a ragtag private eye
wandering the Lower East Side looking for love. He soars on “You’re Not Who You Think You Are”, a carefully
crafted yarn about hallucinations, and the bizarre “1st Responder” uses a reggae beat to follow a young car thief
on his rounds. As usual, Parker weaves a trail of broken hearts, broken lives and lots of fun as he takes us on a magical,
musical journey. This is a superb collection of songs. Check him out at www.grahamparker.net
Mark May Band - In Texas Live - Flying
Dog Records - We first met Mark when we were publishing Southern Exposure in 1994 and have been friends ever since. His unique
interpretations and signature stinging guitar licks combined with a strong vocal presentation make his music his own. This
live album was recorded at The Rhythm Room, Fitzgerald’s and Dan Electro’s on Joe’s Roadhouse, the former
KPFT show that served to promote local artists for many years (and is sorely missed by all Houston music fans). Recorded by
Frank Cupal of F&S Productions and mixed by Frank with Mark’s assistance, this is a showcase of the wonderful live
shows we all came to love and appreciate. Mark’s band consists of himself on guitar/vocals, Paul Ramirez on guitar/vocals,
Dan Cooper on bass and Clyde Dempsey on drums. From the opening track, “You’re Leaving Baby” with Mark showing
off some remarkable licks, to a couple of Albert Collins covers, “Blue Monday” and “Lights Are On But Nobody’s
Home” with plenty of jam length guitar solos, this is a true blues classic. An extended (12 minute) cover of Neil Young’s
“Ohio” let’s the guitar pickers shine, and an even longer (14 minute) jam of Dickey Betts’ “In
Memory Of Elizabeth Reed” sets a mellow pace for this cut that includes much back-and-forth on guitar work. One of Mark’s
originals, “Gangsta’s Blues” tells the tale of people taking the wrong path in life, and he finishes with
one of my favorite covers, “Mercury Blues”, the 1949 song written by K.C. Douglas and Robert Geddins, that has
been covered by many artists, but Mark’s version makes it a blues-themed hit with plenty of slide guitar and boogie-woogie
guitar beats. For Mark’s fans and any blues lovers, this is a great group of live cuts that will get you bouncing on
the dance floor. Available at live shows or find him at www.markmay.com
Somebody's Darling - Somebody's Darling - Shiner Records - At a show at Tut’s last week,
Jay Ross Martin told us about a band at the Corner Pub we needed to go see, so we drug up and headed over there. Thank you,
Jay for the heads up on this band from Dallas. They are one of the best new groups we’ve seen in a while and cast a
spell on the audience that night. With Amber Farris on vocals, David Ponder on guitar, Michael Talley on bass and Nate Wedan
on drums, plus a number of other talented artists joining on various cuts, this diverse group brings a country-rock influence
to their Americana music. With help from producer Dan Baird (Georgia Satellites) they put together this excellent debut album
for fans, and it’s a winner! From opening cut, ‘Horses” with a slowly building sound, it’s evident
that Amber’s vocals are the thing of legend, her Joplin-style, scratchy, and with great range, takes this to another
level. The hard-driving ‘Farewell’ lets David shine on guitar while Amber wails this wild-and-wooly rocker, and
‘Hearts Too Young’, with it’s soaring vocals and pounding guitars is a classic rock cut. They don’t
slow down much with ‘Wind Gone Dry’ taking it up another notch, and the closest they get to country is ‘Another
Two Step’ with great fiddles and a bluegrass/rock beat. Slowing it down a bit on ‘Easy’ they bring a strong
instrumental presence to highlight Amber’s vocals, but it’s back to full steam ahead on ‘Lonely’ with
a plethora of screaming guitars. One of my favorite cuts is ‘Been Better’, a straight-ahead rock anthem, but a
close second is ‘Cold Hearted Lover’ that lets Amber’s vocals shine and the guitars scream. This is an outstanding
release and I hope they get back here soon, as they put on a dynamic live show. Highly recommended. Find them at www.somebodysdarling.com
Joe Swank & The Zen Pirates - Hank Williams Died For Your Sins - Cowpunk Muisc - Just the title alone made me pick this up and give
it a play. These guys describe themselves as a good ol’ fashioned honky tonk bar band, and they live up to that promise.
With the style of music that many Texas bands use to crank it up, this cowpunk gang originally played in North Carolina, but
Joe lives in Chicago now. The band includes Joe on guitar/vocals, Scott Gilmore on guitar/vocals, Alex D. Little on bass and
Stephen Gardner on drums. The title cut is a gospel-tinged ballad with tongue-in-cheek philosophy, and ‘Same Ol Feeling’
takes a retro 60’s Flying Burrito Brothers country rock fling, but ‘Just Tell Her I Loved Her’ goes full-tilt-boogie
rock with great lead guitar ala Jason & the Scorchers. The down-and-dirty ‘Wait Until I Get My Hands On You’
tells a tale of back door lovers with some mean guitar licks, then the punk-a-billy ‘Tomorrow’s Just A Train-Wreck
Away’ rocks the joint. Cutting to a two-stepper, they go into full cowboy mode on ‘Sittin’ Here Drinkin’
A Beer’ and the tearjerker ballad ‘Better Than Being Alone’ tells a sad tale of desperation. A second (reprise)
version of the title cut takes a more classic country feel, and they close with ‘Strutter’, a tale of gals who
like to show off the goods. This is some of the best alt-country I’ve heard in a while, and I wish we could get them
down here for a show or two. Check this out at http://zenpirates.com
Josh Grider - Sweet Road To Ride - United
For Opportunity - We saw this band open for The Stone Coyotes at Dosey Doe last April, and are glad they sent us this fine
CD to review. The Josh Grider Trio consists of Josh on guitar/vocals, Chris Grady on bass and Jeff Botta on drums. This group
of songs explores the life of a musician on the road as well as the roads we all travel in life. The lyrics are brilliant,
and the recording allows you to hear and understand every word, which many recordings fail to do. Thankfully, Josh has mastered
the music to allow this, as he has carefully crafted each and every song. Opening cut ‘Here With Me’ takes a lyrical trip to San Francisco and Kansas City while
he laments being away from his family, and the love them and leave them theme of ‘While You Were Sleeping’ paints
a dreary picture of love gone bad. The awesome ballad ‘Great Divide’ gives Josh a chance to shine as vocalist
while struggling to make a choice, and ‘Sunburn’ is a sad, tender ballad about broken hearts. The soaring ‘Over My Head’ gives
him a chance to admit he may bitten off more than he can “chew”, and they get funky on ‘Sometimes’
while ‘Halfway There’ takes a reggae and calypso beat as they hit the road again. The theme turns darker on ‘Love
Went Wrong’, another song about a bad choice in a love life, and my favorite is the running from the law ballad ‘They
Ain’t Found Us Yet’ with it’s harmonic vocals and fantastic guitar rhythms. It’s back to driving all
day on ‘Again’, a lament on always being gone, and he ends the album with a final promise to “spread his
wings” on ‘Watch me Now’. While there are more sad themes than not, the music is so beautiful you will forget
the sadness and enjoy the delivery rather than the theme. The amazing harmonies and clear vocals make this a winner! See them
at Dosey Doe on Feb. 19. Available at live shows or find them at www.joshgrider.com
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver - Lonely
Street - Rounder Records - After a career in bluegrass spanning over 45 years, you'd think he would have
done it all. But this release marks his 30th year of recording with Quicksilver and their 34th album, and it seems he's just
getting his second wind. His high-lonely vocals highlight the tunes, and the instruments bring their own contributions, one
by one, each in it's own unique way. The musicians featured here include Doyle on mandolin/vocals, Darren Beachley on guitar/vocals,
Carl White on bass/vocals, Joey Cox on banjo, Josh Swift on resophonic guitar, Weisenborn guitar and percussion, and Brandon
Godman and David Johnson on fiddle. They picked a fine variety of tunes, opening with a tribute to the "Father of Bluegrass
Music", Bill Monroe, called "Monroe's Mandolin", and then the title cut, a country classic that they speed
up to match their pickin' tempo, then cut to a cry-in-your beer tune, "Ain't A Woman Somebody When She's Gone",
a classic lost love ode. "Big Wind" is a Porter Wagoner song about a scary weather situation and they tackle the
hard-driving, hot picking cut with a vengeance, while the tear-jerker "Oh Heart, Look What You've Done" features
Darren on lead vocals, giving a spine-tingling reaction to his tale of how the heart overrules the mind when it comes to love.
The sad commentary on the bleak times "Human Race" reflects on how our land of plenty has wasted so much and been
so careless, while the 1950's Marty Robbins tune "Call Me Up And I'll Come Calling On You" is a feel-good old-timey
country cut that converts to bluegrass very well. The gorgeous harmonies on "Yesterday's Songs" take us back to
country church gospel meets and their soul-lifting feelings, while the instrumental "Down Around Bear Cove" gives
Doyle and Swift a chance to shine on their respective instruments. The mountain feud love song "Johnny and Sally"
is a sad tale of true love that succeeds beyond all odds, while the sad tale of "My Real World Of Make Believe"
is a love song about a love that never was and features more smooth harmonies. The final cut is a Chris Stuart gospel tune
called "When The Last Of Our Days Shall Come" that features Darren's fine vocals and Brandon's great fiddling. Check
them out at www.doylelawson.com Reviewed June 2009
Justin Townes Earle - Midnight
At The Movies - Bloodshot Records - This sophomore release by the remarkable young prodigy proves he
wasn't a one-hit-wonder. He stays the course with this collection of originals (except for the cover of "Can't Hardly
Wait", by Paul Westerburg of The Replacements) that sound more like covers of traditional mountain music from the last
century than something penned recently. The careful orchestration makes it sound so well produced that you often overlook
the simplicity that overrides all the hard work that went into it. The title cut takes you back to the days when a movie date
was as much for romance as the movie itself, and the soulful "Mama's Eyes" tells the simple tale of the devotion
he has for his mother. "They Killed John Henry" rolls a country blues beat into a mountain-man story that could
have been written a hundred years ago, and "What I Mean To You" asks if the love he is feeling is mutual. The mournful
"Black Eyed Suzy" questions how someone can continue doing what they know is wrong, when all else seems to fail,
and "Poor Fool" is a pure country two-stepper with a sawdust-on-the-floor feel. Some wailing harp highlights "Halfway
To Jackson", turning it into a delta blues stomp, then he turns the tempo down for a lost love ballad, "Someday
I'll Be Forgiven For This", easily the most heart-wrenching cut in the bunch. The ragtime feel of "Walk Out"
could have been played in any honky tonk in the 1930's, and "Here We Go Again" is another tender love ballad that
makes him fall for "the way you moved, just like a whisper in the wind". The single cover, "Can't Hardly Wait"
is given due respect, and he makes it his own, easily, with a more country feel than the original. There is much to like here,
and the variety of genres he melds together, make this a keeper. Watch for him in our area soon. Find it at www.bloodshotrecords.com Reviewed June 2009
The Snake Charmers - Been Gone Too Long
- Skunk Eye Records - I met this funky group at the Spring Blues Festival at Bohemeo's and really enjoyed their set at the
show. Comprised of Marie Angell on vocals/keyboards, her husband Will Blumentritt on bass, son Eric Blumentritt
on drums and Larry "The Chemist"Meeker on guitar, this gang of four puts out some pretty cool vibes on their all-originals
offered here, with Marie doing the songwriting. Opening cut "Ain't Nothing But The Blues" takes a smoky, dimly lit
barroom feel to a nice ballad, but picks up speed on "No Mercy", with lots of Larry's stinging guitar licks and
Marie's howlin' vocals. They drop the tempo on "Can't Trust A Heart", another wispy, soul-searching ballad, and
then funk it up with "Big Big Love", with plenty of soulful harmonica from Alan "Otis Futhermucker" Gould,
who accentuates the feel of the tune. The title cut lets Marie cut loose on this hard-driving "done me wrong" tune,
and Larry gets to show his chops again on "I Wanna Do Right", a bouncy, danceable tune that Marie makes into a real
charmer. The soulful "Move On Blues" gathers a little speed as she gets more into the vibe, then she sways into
a 60's retro feel on "Half A Cup", amid just the right amount of bass & drums. The funk continues on "Just
A Little Kiss", a cute little ditty about "when two lips meet", and then goes out in style with her fantasy,
"(I Wanna Be A) Hoochie Mama", with "too much lipstick" and with more of Larry's cool guitar. Lots of
good music here, so check them out. They play a lot in the Bay Area, at places like T-Bone Tom's and The Green Parrott Bar
& Grill. Find them at www.snakecharmers.net Reviewed June 2009
Chetan Clawson and The Soul Side -
White Heat - Action City Records - Every generation has their blues guitar-slinger
and we just found the newest one. From T-Bone Walker to Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King, Eric Clapton to Stevie Ray,
there's one you never forget. Well, this 21-year old fits the mold. Raised in a musical family, he took up guitar at an early
age, and it stuck. His playing is that of an "old soul" who knows what he's doing and is proud of it. The power
trio consists of Chetan (a Lakota name, pronounced 'Cheta') on guitar/vocals, Al Bolda on bass and Curt Clawson on drums,
and they make enough sound for many more than that. This album was recorded when he was 17 years old and is re-issued here.
Other than covers of Howlin Wolf's "Killing Floor", Earl Kings' Let The Good Times Roll" and Hendrix's "Voodoo
Child", he wrote and arranged all of these songs.
"Black Revolver" takes a stinging cut of axe-wielding
to the next level, and the SRV feel of "Letter To The Exiles" is a pleasant 40 second segue into "Over The
Top", a scratchy, rolling showcase of picking frenzy. There's not much mellow in this CD, but "Chocolate Bomb"
comes close, and my favorite cut is "White Heat", a fairly long cut with plenty of solo guitar and great rhythms
to boot. Pushing the envelope is "Diamond Scarlet", long on axe-grinding and pounding drums, and "Loving A
Living Lie" accentuates his vocal abilities as well. This is a great example of how younger musicians are continuing
the traditions that so many fear are being lost to corporate music blandness. Find them at www.cetanclawsonandthesoulside.com
Clovis - Clovis - Self Produced - When I first met "Mean" Gene Kelton, his two sons Jamie and
Sid were playing bass and drums with him, both teenagers at the time. With that sort of family background, is it any surprise
that they have evolved into two promising musicians in an amazing new rock band. The result is Clovis, with Damien Okun on
vocals, James Crouthers on guitar, Jamie Kelton on bass and Sid Kelton on drums. Their origins begin with "the home grown
southern blues rock sound" as their publicity states. From the opening salvo of "Walk Away", it's déjà
vu for this big fan of southern rock, with the strong vocals of Damien taking front stage, but the stinging guitar evokes
early southern rockers .38 Special, Molly Hatchet and maybe Black Oak Arkansas or more current groups like the Kentucky Headhunters
or Drive By Truckers. All songs are originals except the final cut. "Promised Land" takes it to another level, a
true southern rock anthem with great guitar breaks, and "Western Wind" is a milder cut that asks some hard questions
with more great licks. The mellow "Pullin' Me Down" has a dark tale but great sound, and the patriotic message of
"American Made" is a great working man's story. Guitar takes center stage on "In My Head" with a slightly
psychedelic feel, and "Stand" makes the case for doing what's right. They finish with a fine cover of Charlie Daniels
Bands' "Long Haired Country Boy" that rocks your socks off. This is a whole new chapter in southern
rock history, and if they can get heard they will make a believer out of any fan of this genre. I give it a big old thumbs
up, and know you will get a big kick out of it too. They will be appearing at Mean Gene Kelton's Southern Fried 4th of July
Picnic and Music Festival at the Hawg Stop on the 4th of July, so try to catch them there. www.myspace.com/cloviscamp
Mike Amabile & Run Over Twice - Better Side of Me - Stormy Cooper Media - After hearing many good things about this
group, I finally got to see them recently and was quite impressed. Composed of Mike Amabile on guitar/vocals, Charles Peters
on guitar/vocals, Ethan Travis on bass and Lyndon Hughes on drums, these guys do a great live show of covers and originals.
All the songs on this disc were written by Mike and cover a range of emotions and styles. Showcasing his clear, crisp vocals,
starting with the title cut they move through a group of very nice songs. "I See You" has a catchy chorus that has you singing along
after only one play, and "Motorcycle Man" cranks it up a notch with a rockin' theme. A unique cut "$2 intro" gives you
a tease with only the intro to a song available only on the internet. Nice way to get visits to your web site, guys. The pace
slows down a bit with a folksy "John and Marianne," a strange little tale of twisted love and fate, while the ballad
"Can't Let You Go" weaves a story of love lost and found. Steve Wilson brings some haunting harmonica to "Peace
of Mind", a lovely ballad that will stir your soul. They crank it up a bit on "Goodbye Paradise" but mellow
out again on "Take My Time," an ode to enjoying life while you can. The guitar frenzy on "Sold My Soul"
has a nice southern rock touch, and the final cut "Love Brings Me Down" is a fitting finale, with a delta blues
sound featuring Peters on moaning slide guitar. This is a nice group of tunes, and I highly recommend it. These guys play
at a number of local venues, including The Corner Pub, Tut's, Berryhill Tamales and Sam's Boat. Try to catch one of their
shows and pick up the CD. I know you'll enjoy it as well as I did. Find them at www.runovertwice.com
L.L. Cooper -
Tucson - Montrose Records - My old buddy Larry Cooper continues his winning
streak with this fantastic release. In the 15 or more years we’ve known him, his abilities always amaze me. This time
he turns a little away from the singer-songwriter style of his 2007 album, “Old Hardin Store Road” to put a little
more of a country-rock edge on the songs. The band includes Larry on guitar/vocals, Jeff Enlow on bass, Wil Woodward on guitar,
Rick Thompson on keyboards, Mano Perez and Brian Hays on drums and Kim Hundl on backup and lead vocals. The title cut is a
real tearjerker, so listen closely to this tale of true love lost “in the blink of an eye” and “Behind”
is a drinking song with a truly sad message, and some fine harmonies make it easier to swallow. He takes a two-step turn with
the catchy “Topsy Turvy” with a real honky-tonk feel and then picks up the speed on “Stir It Up” and
the keys and guitar do plenty of stirring on this fast-paced cut. The cute story on “Wearing Your Ring” tells
a tale of making her happy, and then Kim takes the mike on “Open Guitar Case” to belt out this ballad that blends
some cool guitar work with a leavin’ theme and close harmonies with Larry. The country-rock “Swaggerin’,
Staggerin” kicks out the jams with this tale of “West Alabam” and some serious drinking, and “Punching
Out” is a rockin’ cut about realizing that no job is worth putting up with too much B.S. The political spin of
“So” takes on the “military industrial superiority complex” and puts them in their place, while “Pullman
Company Man” is a moving ode to workers on the trains during the heyday of travel by train, who still were barley able
to make ends meet. He takes on the task of growing older gracefully in the tender love ballad, “Do This Thing”
and closes with “Hippie Riviera” as a humorous ode to his new digs on the north side of Lake Travis. This album
is worth the wait, and will make you a happy camper with every spin. Check out his web space and take in a show, you’ll
be glad you did. Check them out at www.myspace.com/llcooper
The Blue Threads - Take This Smile - DBJ Music - Dalton Dunn burst upon the Houston music scene years ago at a very early age,
and was billed as “Dangerous” Dalton Dunn. He showed up at numerous jams, as mom Marilyn ferried him around. He
became an instant hit and most of his early playing was blues-oriented, so he got the reputation as a blues-slinger early
on. He met drummer Brandon Custer at a blues jam at The Shakespeare Pub in 2004 and they hit it off right away, forming a
band that went through several changes until they added bassist Chris Spencer in 2008 for the current lineup. Morphing from
a blues guitarist to more contemporary original rock music band, they now have a serious rock attitude and this offering of
original tunes. Opening with “I’m Not The One”, they hit the ground running with some great licks. Dalton’s
vocals have matured as well and he feels more comfortable with this genre and it seems to fit him and the guys well. Going
more hard-core is “Strip” with lots of heavy guitar work, and “Follow” keeps the beat going. Dalton
really shines on the axe in “Nothing Inside” with plenty of lead guitar, and “Unreal” slows down a
bit, but don’t get too relaxed, as it hits pretty hard, too. Hard-rockin’ on “Ain’t Too Late”
just feeds the frenzy more, and the title cut seems to be the most radio-friendly, with an almost classic rock feel. This
feels right, and I think they have hit their stride with the writing and arrangements, and no question about their musical
abilities. Check them out at local venues and their web site. Find them at www.myspace.com/thebluethreads
The Band JEEt - Jewel Cases - Yakob Music - This local group has been playing the area recently and sent their new CD for
review. Comprised of Mary Fenner on keyboards and lead vocalist, Pete Fenner on guitar/bass/vocals, Tim Gandstead on guitar/bass/vocals,
and Jimbo Hill on drums and vocals. All songs are originals, mostly written by Mary and some by Mary & Pete together.
The title cut has a catchy beat and on top of Mary’s strong vocals, features some great guitar solos, and “Free
To Love” is a soaring love ballad with a message of longing and strong feelings. The tropical feel of “South of
the Border” makes you want to reach for a margarita and they let Jimbo take the mike on the roadhouse rounder “Texas
Woman”, a foot-stompin’ country rocker. There’s more tropical theme on “Mexican Letter”, a south-of-the-border
invitaton to “making love under the shade of palm trees” and the soulful ballad “It Is” lets Mary
unleash her pipes for more deep feeling. The retro “Free Falling” has a 70ish feeling and the final cut, a smooth
ballad called “Sunsets Forget Me” leaves you wanting more. This is a nice group of songs and an easy listen.
Look for them to play in the area soon. Find them at www.thebandjeet.com
J.B. Beverly & The Wayward Drifters -
Watch America Roll By - Crumvillain Records - Have you ever wondered what happened
to REAL country music? Sadly, it has been pushed into the background by the image-consumed monster of the corporate music
industry. These days, only a few brave souls dare to make the kind of authentic country music that honors American heritage
and culture; rooted in the influence of Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and the other all-but-forgotten
legends of the genre. One of the strongest forces in the real country music arena is J.B. Beverley & The Wayward Drifters.
Originally formed in December 1998, J.B. Beverley and the Wayward Drifters have steadily made a name for themselves. A “retired”
hobo, Beverley took his experiences from the road, the trains, and everyday American people he encounters, and molded those
experiences into some of the most heartfelt, real-deal country music to see the light of day in a long time. With driving
acoustic rhythm guitar, slamming upright bass slapping, amazing banjo rolls, and other blistering accompaniment, Beverley
and his “high lonesome” voice have earned a solid reputation for their live shows. Joining him on this album are
Jayke Orvis on mandolin, Dan Hovey on guitar, Big Geo Ballentine on slide guitar, Patrick McAvinue on fiddle, Joel Kamins
and the 357 String Band on back-up vocals. Tunes include road songs like “Interstate Blues” and the bouncy title
cut, with some nice banjo and pickin’, and a wistful country blues cut, “Me & My Blues”. He gets
plumb serious on “I Don’t Give A Damn”, a mountain love ballad, and hits the road again on “Gonna
Ride A Train”. His days on the road are evident in cuts like “End Of The Road” and my favorite, “Walked
Across Texas” (to try to find my baby girl) that hits close to home. He hits high gear with “Don’t Need
No One” and closes with a reflection on love lost with “Favorite Waste Of Time”. This is the real deal with
plenty of old-time country sounds and the hillbilly vocals he does so well. Give it a spin. Check them out at www.myspace.com/waywarddrifters
Bill Ward - Just For The Moment - Post No Bills Music -
Bill has been a favorite for many years with his mellow, folksy songs that reflect his honest approach to story-telling. He
hosted numerous open mic nights in our area, and we always enjoyed his warm, welcoming sessions. He has written over 300 songs
and continues to please with his current effort. This collection of originals brings his skills to the fore and are a welcome
listen. The spare use of instruments makes us focus on the stories, which range from serious to playful, but all with plenty
of deep feelings to tug at your heartstrings. Opening cut “Hell Deep” is a testimony to the ravaging of our land
by greedy corporations, with delicious harmonies and a lot of social commentary. The emotional tale of “Unicorn”
is a soaring ode to lost dreams, and “Last Call” refers not only to closing time, but to the fact that life is
all too short and we need to savor every moment. With a serious look at past world events that affected millions of people,
he weaves a somber tale of how we try to get past things we don’t want to think about, in “The Toast”. His
own love story surfaces in “Potter’s Hands”, a tender love ballad, and Selia Qynn lends her soaring vocals
to “Katy”, a lovely, lonely story. The dazzling “First Stone” with it’s harmonic swells and
epic tone is a moving feast, and he closes with a comforting tale in “Just For The Moment”, a delicious and esoteric
tune that almost lulls you into a blissful state. Bill takes the time to polish his efforts, and his amazing ability to formulate
feelings and stories into words and melodies results in as pleasant an experience as you can imagine. Find him at www.songdogrecords.com
Charlie Faye - Wilson St. - Wine & Nut Records - Coming to Austin from New York (where she sang with The
Jerks), Charlie found the comfort and music scene to inspire her and adopt a simpler pace and become a part of the community.
Pieces of all of this come together in this lovely group of songs, where she is joined by Will Sexton on bass, guitars and
vocal backup, David Holt on guitar and Rick Richards on drums, along with a “who’s who” of Austin musicians
along the way. The sad story on “Coward’s Lament” weaves a tale of love’s intricate and confusing
ways, while “Summer Legs” remembers the good times but reminds you that “if you must be lonely, be lonely
alone”. Questions of how easily you can be misled into relationships that are doomed to fail surface in “Simple
Seduction” and “Bottletops” is about lonely people who only want to talk to someone, preferably over a drink.
She opens her soul and shows a more vulnerable side on the jazzy “Ready To Fall” and falls into disarray on “Waitin’
On Something” as she admits to feelings that can’t seem to work. The bouncy “Runaround” takes a spin
around her youthful feelings about love with a retro beat and lots of groovy guitars, and sadder yet, “She’s Gonna
Go” tells of the eventual breakup of a relationship that has run it’s course. Seems like a lot of broken hearts
here, but she tells it like it is, with some amazing lyrics that stretch the imagination, and with the help of her musical
friends they create an inspiring selection of songs that will please any lover of music, while you get to hear her pour her
heart out. Quite an enjoyable effort and I highly recommend it. Find her at www.charliefaye.com
Spring Creek -
Way Up On A Mountain - Rebel Records - This band from Lyons, Colorado is quickly gaining
a reputation as the hottest young band in the Rocky Mountains. The quartet plays a mix of bluegrass standards and compelling
originals, and all four musicians are also accomplished vocalists. Spring Creek is built on the fundamentals of bluegrass,
yet they create their own classic contemporary style. The young band, whose members met in music school in Texas, have studied
and performed together for several years, creating a tight, polished sound. Counting such bands as Country Gazette and Hot
Rize among their influences, Spring Creek’s members have a deep respect for tradition, as well as an innate sense of
musical innovation. Comprised of Chris Elliott on banjo & vocals, Jessica Smith on bass fiddle & vocals, Taylor Simms
on guitar & vocals, and Alex Johnstone on mandolin & vocals, these talented musicians have melded the traditional
bluegrass feel with original tunes that transform into a tradition of their own. Opening with “My Love Is Way Up On
A Mountain” with high lonesome harmonies and dazzling mandolin licks, then “Another Lonesome Night My Dear”
features Jessica’s earthy, smoky vocals on this catchy cut. Instrumental “Cuba Vera Swing” blends guitar-pickin’
with jovial fiddle for an ear-candy piece, while “Try and Catch the Wind” lets Jessica’s vocals create a
fine-tuned mountain ballad with much pickin’ and grinnin’. Many of the songs are tales of sorrow, like “Its
Alright My Darlin”, about lost love, and “Lonesome Town”, a solemn country classic, with lovely harmonies.
They pick up the pace with high-energy cuts “In Despair” with rousing banjo and mournful vocals and “Drivin’
Me Crazy”, a humorous tale of how the women treat him. This is a delightful group of songs and will leave you tappin’
your feet and singing along, so be sure to check it out. Find them at www.springcreekbluegrassband.com
Mark Junger & the Whisling Mules -
Silos & Smokestacks - American
Rural Records - Since I reviewed “One For The Crow” in 2004, Mark has garnered national attention for his insightful
songwriting and has shared the stage with artists like Billy Joe Shaver, Guy Clark & Charlie Robison. He is joined here
by Adrian Schoolar on guitar and other instruments, Wes Green on mandolin and harmony, Josh Flowers on bass and Susan Gibson
on harmony, Roger Marin on pedal steel and Matt Keagan on drums. This is a moving group of songs, ranging from Texas country
to singer-songwriter to Americana folk, and one of my favorite songwriters, Adam Carroll shared writing duties on four songs.
The title cut is a wistful look at the demise of small towns and farmers, and “We’re Leaving” is a ballad
with it’s blissful tale of lost love, while a smoky harmonica opens “Look Away” with a subtle message and
sublime guitar licks. He weaves an inspiring message into “Home Sweet Home Blues” with Susan Gibson adding harmonies
for extra spice to this delicious ballad, then turns to a more humorous tone on “$2 Bill”, with a swampy beat.
The sobering “It Ain’t Funny” is a soothing tune that takes a soul deep look at those who can’t help
being down, and “Nothing Matters” relates to taking things for granted while cutting a nice two-step around the
floor. “The Price of Progress” (written by Jason Ringenberg of Jason & the Scorchers) relates to the losses
we take as things change in our country, and the bluegrassy “Meatless Tuesdays” spins a sparkling, jovial feel.
He gets redeemed with “On My Knees”, a gospel-like tune that takes a somewhat tongue-in-cheek direction, and he
finishes with a soothing cut on “The Way Home”, a sparse ballad of hope. There are plenty of great songs here,
and they will come together to provide an enjoyable hour of listening. Find him at www.markjungers.com
Darrin James Band - The Lovely Ugly Truth - Bridge Street Music - This Detroit-born, now in Brooklyn singer-songwriter
sounds more like an east Texas swamp-rock veteran than a Yankee musician, but his love for roots music like blues, country
and soul combine to spin out dark lyrics of desperate characters and situations. The band consists of Darrin on guitar/vocals,
David Johnsen on bass, Bill Mead on drums, Jordan Shapiro on keys/vocals, and Jeremy Bronson on drums. His gruff, growling
vocals bring a Tom Waits comparison, but has more of a Springsteen sound to me. Opening cut “I Was Wrong” comes
on like a New Orleans funeral dirge, horns blaring, then turns into a rather sad apology message with blues guitars and soulful
vocals, then the running from the law story “Baby Don’t Bitch” with it’s swampy, Cajun feel keeps
the outlaw theme going. The gritty “Someone To Depend On” takes the subject of dependency to a new level with
some gut-thumping guitar breaks, and the title cut tackles breakups as the ultimate solution to bad relationships in a hard-driving
rocking beat. The sparse lyrics of “Just U” tells a tale of true love in a few words, but gets the message across
in a dreamy, sublime method, then “Love So Sexy” is an ode to a former lover that he knows wasn’t destined
to be long-term, in a smoky, hypnotic cadence. The opening finger-picked guitar licks in “Green Card Rag” set
the tone for this protest song about injustice of immigration policy on two lovers, as a brassy horn section highlights this
tome, and the wistful steel guitar on “Shallow Grave” sets the pace for this tale of revenge for an awful act,
while the harmonies on this frail tune are inspiring. Mournful ballad “Easier” is a plea for help from overwhelming
burdens, in this earthy tune, and he finishes with a drinking anthem, “Whiskey Breath Blues” with moaning organ
and no apologies. There is little doubt that this is first-class, gut-bucket blues and swamp rock album with some serious
subject matters will get more than a few spins to get the full effect, but I think you’ll get a big kick out of it.
Find him at www.darrinjamesband.com
County Road Zero -
Memoirs & Mosquitos - Mud Duck Studio - Formed in 2000 and playing all over the state, County Road Zero finally settled in Cleveland, Texas and have
appeared frequently in our area, including the Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival. Comprised of Daniel Barton on guitar/lead vocals,
Glen Schultz on lead guitar, Charlie Hopper on bass, and Stephen Oneil on drums, they have that uncommon ability to create
enormous energy at their live performances. The songs on this release were all written by Daniel and range from sublime ballads
to straight-ahead rockers. “Mile Marker 94” features stinging guitars and a message of leaving “on the south
side of being gone”, while more subdued “Wake By Daylight” weaves a tale of broken hearts and lies, and
“Love Your Lady” is a soft and comfortable ballad of love. The wistful “She Likes To Showboat” (and
I like to drink) takes a cowboy who wants to be alone out with his girl who likes to party, and “B List Singer”
picks up the speed with this tale about wanting to be a star. He really slows it down on “Love Is Sweet & Love Is
Blind” a mournful tale of the ups and downs of love, but picks up steam again on “Blue Days” a soothing
look at drinking and dreaming, then he kicks out the jams on “Promise Land”, a gospel-tinged rocker with smokin’
guitars. There are lots of nice ballads and some great guitar work here. Look for them at local venues. Find them at www.myspace.com/countyroadzero
Wayne Hancock - Viper of Melody - Bloodshot Records - The
king of jump joint swing brings us his seventh album of stripped-down combo of hillbilly, roadhouse blues, honky-tonk, rockabilly
and hep-cat boogie. This release was produced by none other than Lloyd Maines, so that alone is an endorsement. With Wayne
on guitar/vocals, Anthony Locke on steel guitar, Huckleberry Johnson on upright bass and Izak Zaidman on guitar, his retro
sound that has set him apart takes you back to the Jimmie Rodgers day of Saturday night honky-tonks and sawdust-covered floors
of the 40’s and 50’s. Opening with “Jump The Blues” with slapping bass and lots of twang, he’s
off and running, and the boogie-laden “Driving My Young Life Away” about the constant road-trip he finds himself
on. The title cut is an ode to playing music and enjoying it to the ultimate, while “Throwin’ Away My Money”
counts the ways you lose cash from slots to bail to buying drinks with lots of Huck’s thumpin’ bass. The somber
“Your Love and His Blood” is a tale of jealousy and taking the life of a girlfriend’s lover and going on
the run, then “Tropical Blues” has a Hawaiian feel with lots of steel guitar. He continues the blues theme on
“Doghouse Blues” after making baby angry, then the high lonesome “High Rolling Train” lets him wail
about being leaving and being “glory bound”. He’s back on track with “Freight Train Boogie”
a bouncy, guitar-tinged cut about hopping trains, and the final cut “Lonesome Highway” is another love em’
and leave em’ ballad with lots of tear-drenched guitar licks. The bulk of tunes are either I screwed up, she screwed
up, roads or trains songs, but with Wayne at the wheel, who cares, since he can turn a nursery rhyme into a rockabilly twang-athon
that will fill the dance floor. Anybody that knows his music will need this, and if you don’t know him, shame on you
and get this to get acquainted. Very highly recommended. Find him at www.waynehancock.com
Nathan Lee - Risk Everything - One
Revolution Music - This arena rocker has paid his dues, more than once, rising to a six-figure income with one business, leaving
that to take his music on the road, then building a music production business to the top, then leaving that to eventually
become homeless and sleeping in his car. Now he has a great music career and this glowing example of his work. His insightful
songwriting features highs and lows and the gritty facts of life, but he takes us on a journey of faith and caring when it’s
all over with. Opening cut “Open Road” is a pounding rock anthem that takes us on a trip of looking for happiness,
and is the song for the morning after. Taking some swampy guitar, “Hold me Down” hits the road running, and “El
Diablo y el Angel” is a violin-backed anthem to his taking chances and being both devil & angel. The expression
of faith in this guitar-thumping cut on “Bring Down The Fire” is a strong testament to how he got on the right
track, while balls-to-the-wall rocker “Wrecking Ball” is also a revelation of how he is ready to redeem his wrongs.
Slowing it down on “The Journey”, his growling vocals remind me of Tom Waits, while he searches for the answers
that we seldom find, and the mournful “Bleeding Back” finds him risking it all for love and time. The anthem “Back
To You’ takes a lyrical spin to a life of a mixed up kid who came out all right, and “High Speed Low Drag”
weaves a message of how life’s a fight, but he’s ready for it and will always come out on top. The wistful “Still”
is his confession for all the wrongs he has done (and we all have) and how we can be redeemed, then he finished with “Broke
and Hollow Man” is a soulful and deeply personal look at how low you can fall and still come back up. There seems to
be a lot of sadness, but it’s all turning to a better day in the long run. Lee is a brilliant storyteller, and his songs
brim with feeling and passion, from being down to feeling on top of the world. This is as real as it gets, and besides the
magnificent lyrics, the music is loud and proud, and I can’t say enough about how good this really is. Find him at www.nathanleemusic.com
Billy Bourbon - Never Change - Billy Bourbon Records - Billy puts on such great live shows that many people have told me to give
him a listen. I did review his last release, ‘Trained Professional’ and was very pleased with it. His raw style
of country-rock always gets the crowds up and dancing and it shows on his recordings. In fact, one cut, ‘The Good Kind’
reflects on that, encouraging the crowd to get off their ass and hit the dance floor. He is backed up by a who’s-who
of Houston artists on this album including his regular band of Billy on vocals/guitar, Tommy Clark on guitar/vocals, Tom Rodgers
on bass and Greg Babineaux on drums, and a host of other artists on other cuts. He hits the floor running with ‘Merry-Go-Round’,
a boot-scootin’ rocker, then slows it down on the tender ‘By Your Side’, a soulful love tune. He takes a
wistful look at a life of working with little to show for it on ‘Company Man’ and then picks it back up with the
drinking song ‘Confidence In A Bottle’. A couple more ballads follow, with ‘Try Again’, a lovely and
soul-searching cut, with Tommy Lee Bradley on backup harmonies, and the title cut where he takes a look at how love changes
over time, while the down-and-dirty blues of ‘Wicked Witch’ really takes you back to the Delta. They bounce back
with dance-hall boogie on ‘Wild Ride Tonight’, a butt-kickin’ rocker, and ‘Tattoo’, a tongue-in-cheek
look at the many forms of ink that decorate folks today, with some really funny stories, and it’s back to rock-n-roll
on ‘So Many Pretty Girls’ and then the horns kick in on ‘Political Animals’, a look at election
day blues. There is plenty to like here and the 15 cuts makes this a real bargain. Be sure to catch him at Spring Tavern on
December 5. Find him at www.myspace.com/1billybourbon
Lee Alexander & Co. - Mayhaw Vaudeville - Self-Produced - Lee returns with a themed album, doing a contemporary
version of a “Variety Show” with several genres and styles of music. He brings a unique sound to the table with
this group of widely diverse songs. Opening with a scratchy, old-time Victrola style “Balinese Room”, he sets
the tone for this eclectic mix, then the soaring chorus of ‘Miles Between’ takes this folksy look at things said
and not done, then ‘Mayhaw Wine’ is a nostalgic look at things of the South from Magnolias to Dogwoods and how
he misses them. The pleasant melodies of ‘These Days’ combine with some nice stinging guitar work, and the spare
acoustic cut ‘Wheel’ compares the chances we take on a roulette wheel. He takes a turn toward classic country
on ‘Okemah Moon’ with lots of twangy fiddle and guitar, this tale of a farmer’s daughter is at least rated
only PG, then leans poetic on small town life on “Carol Anne’ and the endless cycle of poverty and hopelessness
it helps endure, as some mournful woodwinds leave us on a sad note. His take on the traditional English anthem ‘Maggie
Mae’ (not the Rod Stewart song) with the seaman’s love of a Liverpool prostitute leaving him in tears is a nice
rendition, and ‘Union Street’ has a whispering Lee telling a story that resonates of old England as well. The
60’s pop style of ‘Mr. Walker’s Epilogue’ could be the most retro cut, and the sad tale of ‘Green
Room Mirror’ echoes the sadness of a performer who repeats the same lines over and over with no feeling, and plenty
of regrets. The full version of ‘Balinese’ is a wondrous 30’s style tune with muffled vocals and horns that
really captures the essence of the heyday of this now sadly lost treasure. Lee put a lot of energy and imagination into this
release, and it is a treasure of musical genres that meld together for a near-perfect product. I highly recommend it. Look
for them at local venues. Find them at www.alexandersongs.com
Don Carroll - ? or ? - D & D Productions
- Don has been on the music scene as long as I have and his keyboard and sax playing ranks with the best. His current gig
with Jimmie Joe Long & the Little York Blues Band keeps him busy, but he finds time to do some studio work as well. He
gave me this and asked for my opinion, and frankly I was pretty impressed. Until recently, sampled-guitar sounds performed
on a midi keyboard have sounded “less than realistic”. That has now changed. The good folks at Musiclab.com have
developed a couple of sample-based virtual instruments with an innovative approach to guitar sound modeling and guitar techniques
emulating on a standard MIDI keyboard. One is called “Real Strat” and the other is called “Real Guitar”.
Don was so impressed shortly after receiving these products that he was inspired to record this collection of classic guitar
instrumentals. The old time country classic “Ghost Riders In The Sky” comes to life as the opening cut, and the
twang of the Shadows “Apache” and the Ventures “Walk Don’t Run” and “Perfidia” is
almost too close for comfort. Johnny Rivers’ “Secret Agent Man” and the theme from “Hawaii 5.0”
take you on a nostalgic journey to the sixties, and the surfer classics “Pipeline” and “Wipeout” take
it to a whole new level, dude. The long-forgotten “Wheels” by the String-A-Longs brings back nice memories and
the version of James Bond Theme does it justice, and we fade to black with The Ventures version of “Caravan”.
This is a great nostalgic tour of many of the songs we grew up with and Don’s great playing makes it well worth the
time. Available at their live shows or find him at www.cdbaby.com/all/donniec
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