It's certainly true that real country music is a thoroughly American style, but it's sure nice to find it around the world, and one great place to look is at Germany's Hermann Lammers Meyer, who knows how to lay down some serious country music.

With "The Good Old Days," Meyer's newest, he continues his impressive career as one of Germany's premiere hillbilly honky-tonk singers.  Meyer's light-toned tenor could be right from Texas.  He takes on a few old songs and some new ones, and he's joined by an impressive selection of guest stars, including Michele Voan, Sandy Posey, Annie B, Lois Johnson, and the great Johnny Bush.  It's a darned good time, even with the melancholy tip of the hat to the "Good Old Days" of country music.

From start to finish, Meyer and his friends present a cracking good album of solid country honky-tonk, guaranteed to get you dancing or crying in your beer, and in the end you'll just feel better.  His take on the classic Jimmy Dickens' "Country Music Lover" is a delight, as is his duet with Sandy Posey on the classic "Games People Play."  He sings us Guy Clark's "Instant Coffee Blues," and does a surprising take on the gentle ballad, "Just When I Needed You Most."  A fun cover of the Hank Thompson "Wake Up Irene" is a dance hall delight, and Meyer's own "No, I'm Not Leaving" is just plain ol' country music at its most pure form.  The disc closes with "What's Wrong With The Way We're Doin' It Now," a duet with Johnny Bush, that basically says it just as it is.

Sure, it's a long way to Germany to find good ol' country music, but frankly, wherever you find it, grab it.  This is good stuff, and shows that while Nashville may not always know what the country fan wants to hear, some folks in Europe do, and they're willing to give it to us. 

Standout Tracks: "Country Music Lover" "What's Wrong With The Way We're Doin' It Now?"  "Games People Play" "Just When I Needed You Most" "No, I'm Not Leaving"

Final Word: Hermann Lammers Meyer does a bang-up job of country music the way country music should sound.

http://www.hermannlammersmeyer.de/

Kathy Coleman TakeCountryBack April 2004