Kevin Fowler - High on the Hog

Track List

There's A Fool Born Everyday

Senorita Mas Fina

Not Lovin' Anymore

The Lord Loves A Drinkin' Man

A Fool and His Heart

Our Love is a Prison

She Ain't Bad, But She Ain't You

Tall Drink of Water

High on the Hog

All the Tequila in Tijuana

Ol' What's Her Name

Fat Bottomed Girls
 

Visit Kevin at his official website

High on the Hog will hit stores shelves August 6th and it'll do so with no shortage of honky tonk fun, Texas style.

Delivered by Kevin's ragged, made for hardcore honky tonk voice, the album may have an ample share of Texas/country clichés, but don't be looking for any apologies. "I make music for young working class, country fans: pick up driving, Wrangler wearing, everyday folks like me." he says "This is definitely not a Top 40 album. It's a hardcore honky tonk record. It sounds like nothing coming out of Nashville at the moment. It's a lot closer to the albums Merle and Waylon and Shaver used to make. They were writing songs for the everyday working man, and that's what you'll find here."

While writing and singing about what he knows best, it's more than a little obvious that Kevin's West Texas roots are deep. Beginning his musical career with a little trip on the 'MTV side' playing hard rock with Dangerous Toys, he eventually found his way back home, bringing with him a payload of experience and an accomplished knack for making the kind of music that'll pack a dance hall.

Joined by some of the best (The Derailers'  Marty Muse on steel guitar, George Strait's Ace in the Hole Band fiddler, Gene Elders, David Lee Garza on accordion and former Dangerous Toys lead Jason McMaster) the sawdust on the dance hall floor doesn't stand a chance with this great mix of shuffles and two steps. High on the Hog has all the essentials of a solid honky tonk album -- tequila, heartaches and women, with a couple of surprises tucked in for good measure.

The album leads off with the catchy honky tonk of There's A Fool Born Everyday, and fun continues with a guest appearance by David Lee Garza on accordion with a South of the Border flair on Senorita Mas Fina (co-written with Kevin by Texas mainstay Clay Blaker.)

Not Lovin' Anymore, with it's Tex-Mex flavored heartbreak, tones the mood down a few notches -- but not for long, as The Lord Loves A Drinkin' Man, the cut that's currently making noise on the Texas music chart, makes it's raucous presence known. When drinking and religion come to odds -- the solution seems to make perfect sense -- the creation of the Church of Hank Williams.

Seems nothing more appropriately follows a great drinkin' song than a host of love-gone-wrong tearjerkers and heart-tuggers. Kevin gives country music fans plenty to choose from, smack dab in the middle of the album, beginning with A Fool and His Heart and the sorrowful Our Love is a Prison. The two steppin' She Ain't Bad, But She Ain't You tells the honky tonk tale of attempted solace from a love that's been lost. A few tracks later long lost love finds the perfect cure: a new romance, in the infectious twang of Ol' What's Her Name.

But wait, it ain't over yet!

There's the rowdy Tall Drink of Water, and the album's title cut, High on the Hog.  All the Tequila in Tijuana is certain to be chartbound, as Kevin's joined by country music legend, Willie Nelson. The harmonies are top notch and there's no mistaking or replacing the distinctive sound of Willie's constant companion, Trigger.

Make sure you listen to the last note before you hit the replay button or you might miss Kevin's impressive cover of Fat Bottomed Girls. (Yup, it's 'that' one) Kevin southern rocks the Queen classic that'll knock country music fans off their feet and leave 'em wanting more.

Do yourself a favor -- don't sit this one out. High on the Hog is a worthy addition to your honky tonk collection.

Laurie Joulie Take Country Back July 2002