(Hayden's Ferry/Rustic Records) The Rockhouse Ramblers is a side project made up of a group of St. Louis based allstars. The concept came to guitarist Kip Loui one day while listening to the re-issued Byrd's album Sweethearts Of The Rodeo, especially enjoying the bonus tracks. He wanted to someday play hard country music, straight up. He couldn't get the thought out of his mind though, and after two weeks, called up his brother-in-law, John Horton (guitarist with Mike Ireland & Holler), and asked him if he'd be interested. Soon after, Dade Farrar (bassist with One Fell Swoop & "Yes, he's my brother now shut up about it!"), Gary Hunt (guitarist with bluegrass band The Hayshakers) and Danny Kathriner (drummer for Wagon) rounded out the Rockhouse Ramblers lineup.

Their sound is old school country, rockabilly and hillbilly boogie. Their name comes from The Old Rock House, which was thought to be St. Louis' oldest building before it was torn down in 1959 to make room for the Gateway Arch. The building was many things over the course of it's history from a sailmaker's shop to City Hall, however it was most famous as an popular saloon in the 1880's, frequented by the likes of Mark Twain. In the 30's, the Old Rock House Saloon was a lively nightclub where W.C. Handy would drop by to hear legendary blues singer "Rock House Annie" Richardson and others. The Ramblers started off playing covers, and gradually worked in some originals. The band has three extremely gifted songwriters in Dade, Gary and Kip, and soon there were enough originals to cut a disc, which resulted in 2000's acclaimed Bar Time.

The Rockhouse Ramblers now return with their newly released follow up, Torch Town. Kip, Dade and Gary all return with some first rate songs, each having a slightly different style, making for an outstanding blend of old school country, rockabilly and hillbilly boogie. Each also takes lead vocals on their own compositions, with the others adding perfect harmonies.

The 'old school' country tunes blast right out of the gate with the disc's opener, "Learning How To Live With The Blues," that has that chugging Johnny Cash bassline. "Between Home And The Honky Tonk" is a classic shuffle, while the steel moaning "Always Open" is done in swaying old time country crooner style. Torch Town's lone cover is Frankie Miller's loping, shuffling "Truck Drivin' Buddy," which of course is...a  classic truck drivin' song. The cleverly titled "All Bucked Up" is an instrumental, a la early Tele-twangy Bakersfield.

The outstanding "Only One For Me" has a major swing thing going on, while "Get It Up And Get Busy" will definitely get you up with some terrific swing-boogie. "Making It Up As I Go"  and "Devil's Elbow" are pure hillbilly boogie, with the former at times sounding like it was one that got away from Buddy Holly. The standout "Torch This Town" throws in a slightly bluesy touch to this swinging hillbilly rocker, and "Too Little Too Late" is straight ahead high octane rockabilly. The Ramblers save the best for last with the blazing, swinging rockabilly "Everybody Gonna Rock," where their amazing instrumental talents are front and center, both collectively and individually, as each member is given a featured turn in the spotlight.

From start to finish, it's impossible to find a single thing not to love about either the Rockhouse Ramblers or Torch Town. The songwriting is impeccable, the vocals are terrific by all three lead singers, as are the harmonies. Their musicianship is stellar with special kudos to John Horton who plays one killer Tele and some mighty tasty steel, and Dade Farrar who turns in some of the hottest upright bass licks around. These guys are a natural together, their sound doesn't sound forced or phoney in the least, they've aced all the nuances of the music, and they come off sounding nothing less than authentic, there's something about it that sounds both timeless and fresh. Torch Town is aptly titled, and with this scorching album of 'old school' country, rockabilly and hillbilly boogie, I dare you to try to keep your feet still.

http://www.haydensferry.com/artists/rockhouse.htm