(Blue Corn) Buffalo, NY native Gurf Morlix began his music career back in the mid-60s. It was Elvis who first caught his attention and prompted him to teach himself music. Then he discovered Hank Williams. Completely in awe of Hank and his music, Gurf picked up the steel guitar and focused on country music. Since there weren't too many opportunities around in the area at the time for pursuing country music, Gurf headed for California where he met and hooked up with Lucinda Williams. For a time he wound up leading her band, playing guitar and would later go on to produce two of her albums. For the past several years Gurf has become more well known as a producer, working with not only Lucinda, but names that include Ray Wylie Hubbard, Slaid Cleaves, Mary Gauthier, Buddy Miller, Libbi Bosworth, Robert Earl Keen and Butch Hancock. Lesser known is the fact that Gurf has already released two of his own acclaimed solo albums, Toad of Titicaca and Fishin' in the Muddy on the Catamount label.

Cut 'N Shoot is Gurf's third release and his debut on the Blue Corn label. Where his first two albums included the 'twang' factor in his often quirky songs, he drew more heavily on a modern alt-country sound that had an equal amount of greasy blues riffs and an occasional touch of British Invasion era pop (a la Doug Sahm). On Cut 'N Shoot, Gurf focuses on traditional 50s through 70s era country music. Twelve of the album's thirteen tracks are Gurf originals that include co-writers such as Jim Lauderdale, Jim Leslie, Jeffrey Steele and Billy Swan. The album's also pretty much a do-it-yourself project- Gurf plays all the instruments with the exception of drums, which he enlisted Rick Richards to handle, and he brings in Linda McRae for harmony vocals on the track "Where There Is Smoke." 

The songs on Cut 'N Shoot revolve around the timeless theme of relationships between men and women and the broken hearts left in their wake. The shuffling "Yesterday She Didn't" laments a lover who runs hot or cold, depending on her mood. The twangy Bakersfield two-stepper, "Were You Lyin' Down?" cleverly confronts a cheating partner. "Ten Years Of Love" addresses the emotional pain over the of the loss of a long term relationship. "Without You" is an uptempo honky tonker that belies the aching subject matter of mourning a lost love. "The Whole Truth" is a standout country-blues about a man who's had enough lies and is ready to lay his cards on the table. "Me & You" is a witty song that slams gossip while "I'll Change" is a swaying, steel driven ballad about seeking another chance. Facing down the harsh truth of a dying love is told in the brilliant "Where There Is Smoke." "A Girl Like You" conveys the longing for true love and a lasting relationship. The swaying waltz, "Lost Without You" puts a twist on the theme of lost love by noting there might be such a thing as loving someone too much, while the shuffle "Grabbin' For Love," looks at desperation- someone trying too hard to find love. "Your Sister" is a twisted but fun mid-tempo Tex-Mex romp. Given the subject matter of the album, Gurf appropriately closes with a shining, slightly ragged cover of the classic tale of love, betrayal and murder "They're Hanging Me Tonight." 

With Cut 'N Shoot, Gurf shows a different side of himself, one that's always been there and he's shown through his work with other artists, but one up until now, he hadn't shown us in his own work as a performer. Cut 'N Shoot is a solid country album with masterful songwriting and performances that are gritty, heartfelt and heartbreaking, sometimes showing humorous ironies, and above all possess honesty.    

Standout Tracks: "Yesterday She Didn't," "Were You Lyin' Down?," "Without You," "The Whole Truth," "Where There Is Smoke," "Your Sister," "They're Hanging Me Tonight"

On The Net: www.bluecornmusic.com

AnnMarie Harrington TakeCountryBack June 2004