Notorious Cherry Bombs

(Universal South) The Cherry Bombs were originally formed in the late 70s to back Rodney Crowell after he left Emmylou Harris's Hot Band to pursue a solo career. The band's members were Vince Gill, Emory Gordy Jr., Tony Brown, Richard Bennett, Hank DeVito and drummer, the late Larrie London. Although during their heyday the band was legendary, as the Cherry Bombs, the band never recorded an album. After disbanding, the members went their own ways making names in Nashville for themselves. Rodney and Vince went on to become chart topping solo performers, Emory Gordy and Richard Bennett became successful producers, Tony Brown became both a successful producer and major label executive and Hank Devito a songwriter and sought after session musician. Sadly, drummer Larrie London, passed away in 2002.

The Cherry Bombs had an impromptu reunion when several of the original members performed together when Rodney Crowell received an ASCAP award last year. What was supposed to have been a one time performance, won raves from the audience and afterward, even the former bandmates themselves felt the chemistry was still there. They decided to take a shot, regroup and finally after all these years, release a Cherry Bombs album (adding the 'Notorious' to their name due to a legal glitch). The band isn't entirely the same though. Emory Gordy decided he wasn't interested and Michael Rhodes steps in and takes over bass duties. With Larrie London's passing, one of Nashville's top session men, Eddie Bayers fills in on drums, though Larrie does show up by way of tape on the album's closing track, "Let It Roll (Reprise)."

Rodney Crowell and Vince Gill trade off on lead vocal duties, Rodney has 7 of the album's songwriting credits while Vince checks in with 6 and Hank Devito contributes 2. The album opens with some country boogie by way of "Let It Roll, Let It Ride," a rollicking, humorous attempt to get a buddy who lost his girl to loosen up and get unfunked and the song sets the easy going tone and camaraderie for the rest of the album. "If I Ever Break Your Heart" is a catchy, slightly funky mid-tempo ballad that has a man pledging that he'd rather die than break his lover's heart. The band picks up the beat with a rockabilly tinged country-rocker, "Wait A Minute" that finds at a man pleading for just a little more time to adjust to a relationship. Rodney shines on the tenderly pretty ballad, "Making Memories Of Us" about a man's pledge to give all he's got to make his love never regret their relationship.

Vince takes over lead vocals on a song that's been a staple of his live shows, "Oklahoma Dust" a thumping rockabilly tune that conjures up Johnny Cash's "Big River." Rodney takes over for the terrific dark and edgy "Dangerous Curves," that also features some stellar guitar work, in a song that addresses a drinking problem. "Forever Someday" is a soulfully bluesy heartbreak shuffle that features some uncharacteristic but delightfully gritty vocals from Vince. A swinging, two-stepping "On The Road To Ruin" finds Rodney at his bluesy best in this funky look at the consequences of drinking and cheating.

"Heart Of A Jealous Man" is an outstanding dark, swampy ballad that paints a vivid tale of a crime of passion. The song that's gotten the most buzz from the album is of course, "It's Hard To Kiss The Lips At Night That Chew Your Ass Out All Day Long." Yes, the song entirely lives up to it's demented title and is a hilarious, twisted look at the relationship between men and woman, done up as a hardcore honky tonker. It's over the top, but deftly avoids being a corny novelty- it's a humorous poke that's a breath of fresh air in a music industry that tends to take itself way too seriously these days. The band turns in a great rocking rendition of Hank Devito's classic, "Sweet Little Lisa," a song previously made immortal by Dave Edmunds. The album closes with a raucous reprise of "Let It Rock, Let It Roll," that by studio magic adds a previously taped session with the late Larrie London.

At this stage, The Notorious Cherry Bombs could rightfully be called a country 'supergroup.' While they do rate as that, they come off sounding much more like a group of old friends sitting around the living room jamming and having a grand old time. It's like they've never been apart and have played together all these years. They're all on the same page, the vocals and playing is tight, yet comes off loose and easy going. There's precious little coming out of major label Nashville these days that grabs hold and makes me sit up and notice, but The Notorious Cherry Bombs have done it and put out a very welcome and thoroughly enjoyable album from start to finish. If only today's mainstream country radio were a different place- these songs would be all over it.

Standout Tracks: "Let It Roll, Let It Rock," "Wait A Minute," "Making Memories Of Us," Oklahoma Dust," "Dangerous Curves," "Forever Someday," "Heart Of A Jealous Man," "It's Hard To Kiss The Lips That Chew Your Ass Out All Night Long," "Sweet Little Lisa"

On The Net: www.thenotoriouscherrybombs.com

AnnMarie Harrington TakeCountryBack December 2004