Too Country And Proud Of It!

REVIEW:  Starkey and Johnson - Self Titled
(Honky Tonk/)

 
Kick-Ass Honky Tonk

Of course, it's Texas-style.

It's almost incomprehensible that even more great music could come out of Texas, but here it is, and here they are - four guys who can just plain kick it into high gear when they play and sing some hot, genuine, Texas honky-tonk music: Starkey & Johnson.  This is good stuff; so good it's impossible to comprehend just how on Earth they've only produced one CD.        

The foursome - consisting of  Gary Starkey on lead vocals, Bryan Johnson on drums and vocals, Chad Riddle on bass and harmonica, and Jody Beck kickin' with a smokin' lead guitar - sounds like a much more polished, much LARGER band.  It's so genuine you don't realize at first there's no fiddle or steel.  The vocals are sharp and spotless, Gary's voice crisp with just enough of a rough edge to give him a real folksy feel, but smooth enough to capture and keep the attention of the listener.

They write their own songs, too.  What really kicks is the songs are super good.  The guys kick off the CD right from the start with "Go Baby Go" and don't shut down for a second.        

And heck, I liked this group just for their damned fine country music, but then I heard the line, "Well, she likes ol' Tim McGraw. I guess that's her only flaw," in the song "Honky Tonk Angel," and I knew I'd found a group that was after my very heart.

They toss in a little Christmas cheer with "Rudolph Blues," a little ditty somewhat reminiscent of Robert Earl's "Christmas with the Family" off "Walking Distance," with the same tongue-in-cheek Texas humor.

But Starkey and Johnson aren't all laughs; they take on serious topics and gritty reality with "Texas Lovin'," family affection and memories with "Daddy Song," and gentle love with "Between Your Heart and Mine."  "1945" is a terrific Charlie Robison-style story song that takes us all over Texas.  They close with rockin' "Moon City Road."  These boys know how to do it, whatever they take in their heads to do.        

I'm still in shock this is a first CD.  It better not be the last.

Kathy Coleman Take Country Back February 2003