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BREWED IN TEXAS |
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Track List
1. Stayin' Out Late - Cory Morrow Visit here to purchase your very own copy of Brewed In Texas |
(Compadre Records) What we have here with
Brewed In Texas, is a CD that brings together some of the best and
most popular songs put out over the past few years, that revolve around
the theme of drinking. Toss in a half dozen previously unreleased songs
by a few of today's hottest acts, and a couple of up and comers, and
what do you get? As Jason Boland says in the closing lines of the CD-
"Gentlemen start your livers..." It's an instant party in a jewel case-
the perfect CD for cruisin' down the highway with the windows wide open
and the volume cranked up full throttle, not to mention, a sure hit at
any party.
The CD opens with Cory Morrow's classic
style, driving honky tonker, "Staying Out Late", that will have
the dance floor packed before the end of the first bar. There's a live
version of Jerry Jeff Walker's almost Jimmy Buffet-like "Sangria Wine",
complete with the audience singing along on the chorus. "Juke Joint
Jumping" showcases Wayne Hancock's stellar talent at playing that
good old time rockabilly.
Todd Snider's "Ballad Of The Devil's
Backbone Tavern" will instantly bring to mind Arlo Guthrie's classic
"Alice's Restaurant". Told in the same humorous style, it's the story of
"a failed trip to Luckenbach" and the narrator's adventures at
the kindly and wise old Miss Virgies's establishment.
"Drink Your Whiskey Down", a song that's
part country roots rock, part bluegrass, highlights Reckless Kelly's
tight harmonies and superb musicianship. Slaid Cleave's storyteller
ballad, "Horseshoe Lounge" paints the portrait of a small town loser
that's blown his shot with the woman he loves, and spends his time
hanging around the Horseshoe Lounge. Beaver Nelson's "Forget Thinkin' "
is an alt-country tale of drinking to forget.
The honk tonk shuffle of "Turns To Tears"
has Chris Wall's warm baritone (backed by Reckless Kelly) pondering why
with any other liquor "one shot will warm your soul, lose your tongue
and ease your fears, but ain't it strange how Jack Daniels turns to
tears..."
Eleven Hundred Spring's driving "Raise Hell
Drink Beer" sums up life in a small town- "that's all there is to do
around here..." Roger Creager's comical "The Everclear Song" has
become a favorite, and sings the praises of that "invisible,
intoxicating" substance. "50 Dollars And A Flask Of Crown" by Bleu
Edmondson and Matt Powell tells of heading into town on a Friday night.
Tommy Alverson's highly infectious, breezy
Tex-Mex "Una Mas Cerveza" is one of those songs that sticks like glue in
your head. At nearly 6 minutes long, you'll find yourself singing along
with the chorus right from the start- "una mas cerveza, por favore,
seniorita...", and you'll still be singing it long after the song is
over.
"Ol' Milwaulkee's Best" by Adam Carroll is
done in semi-narrative style, an amusing take on every country cliché -
he's lost his dog, and the kids, and his wives (all 5 of them), but his
faithful old pal, Milwaulkee's Best always stays by his side. Rusty Wier
begins "Quervo's Gold" with a clever poem about "Johnny Walker", "Jack
Daniels" and the "Seagram gang", before kicking into a glorious
country-blues tune.
Six of the songs on Brewed In Texas have
been previously unreleased.
"One Bud Wiser" by John Rich (ex-Lonestar), is a very clever play on words, mid-tempo honky tonker about a guy drowning his sorrows after losing his lady- who's also made off with his Silverado. An outstanding track, a little reminiscent of David Ball.
Cooder Graw delivers a slightly "ragged
around the edges" cover of Hank Jr.'s "Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound, and
the boys nail it perfectly to the wall, providing one of the strongest
tracks on the CD.
Cross Canadian Ragweed tackle the daunting
task of covering the Willie Nelson classic, "Whiskey River", and they
don't disappoint, coming through with a hard driving, smoking version
all their own. Cody and the boys really shine here, both vocally and
with some very strong instrumentals.
"The Honky Tonk Life I Lead" by John Evans
is a honky tonker about a guy playing the honky tonks, looking to be a
star, but just as happy to have the beer.
"Barroom Lament" by newcomer Hayes Carll,
who's first CD is scheduled for a summer release, opens with the line
"I'm tired of drinking whiskey by myself". The song is heavy on the
steel, "drinking my sorrows away" honky tonk, that ends up as a
sing-a-long. Another outstanding track, by a very promising new artist.
Brewed In Texas ends with a bonus cut of
Merle Haggard's "I Think I'll Just Stay Here And Drink" with Kevin
Fowler, Jason Boland (sounding eerily like Waylon at times), and Clay
Blaker sharing vocal duties, with some mighty excellent picking by up
and coming guitar virtuoso, Seth James. They take the "good ol' boys, just
hanging out and tossing back a cold one" approach, and it works for a
mighty fine, laid back, good time.
Brewed In Texas also works on another level.
Since it is a compilation disc showcasing many different artists and
styles of music, it's the perfect opportunity for people unfamiliar with
any or all of these artists, to get a listen and a good cross sampling
of Texas Music.
Either way, it's a guaranteed good time CD,
packed with great music.
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