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Are you craving Bramhall’s (as in former Arc Angel, Doyle Bramhall II) new CD, Jellycream? Enter on the SoundsLikeTexas.com site for your chance to win an autographed copy!
Recent Texas Music Releases (MP3 and Windows Media samples available at SoundsLikeTexas.com):
- Aztex, Short Stories on Hightone
- Clint Black, D'Electrified on RCA
- ZZ Top, XXX on RCA
- Derailers, Full Western Dress on Sire
- Willie Nelson Stardust (Expanded Edition) on Columbia/Legacy
- Waylon Jennings This Time on Buddha
- Steve Miller Fly Like An Eagle (mini LP) on EMD
SoundsLikeTexas.com new Texas Music reviews:
ZZ Top – XXX
That "little ol' band" from Texas has altered their sound so much from the Rio Grande Mud days, that it's hard for us "die hards" to listen to the new stuff. That being said, we can't ignore their latest release, XXX ("triple X"). It contains the usual references, Mexico, leg, tequila, leg, weed, leg, gambling, and more leg. The music is the same blues based rock & roll with distorted vocals, deep bottom end, and of course tons of "fuzzy guitar". We can't/won't ignore it because Billy, Dusty, and Frank are hard core Texans. Like Willie, they wear the lone star on their collective sleeve. Most importantly for this forum, there are bright moments on XXX.
If you are into their previous release, Rhythmeen, go get this one. It's more of the same, but with a bonus. Similar to one of our favorite ZZ discs, Fandango, XXX is part live, which is the best part. Without all the studio hardware and software, the boys just flat rock. "Hey Mr. Millionaire" includes some vicious harp interplay, a little audience participation, and features Jeff Beck "singing". Dusty one ups Elvis on "Teddy Bear" (but can't touch "Jail house Rock" from Fandango.) The band just sounds better in this live section, which is how blues based rock should be.
Four tracks into the disc the boys spark up a slow burn that confirms their obsession with the Delta Blues. "Made Into A Movie" features Frank Beard like never before. Lots of drums, but not like the 70's drum solos that would clear a room. Here the slaps and thumps are the perfect partner to Billy's gritty, dirty solos.
ZZ Top chose to infuse their sound with a healthy dose of gadgetry back in '83 with Eliminator, much to the dismay of many fans. However, they were able to peak the attention of youthful album rockers who did not grow up listening to "La Grange" on the radio. That younger audience is now being coaxed back to the blues with XXX. They most likely won't feel compelled to rush out and buy up all the Albert Collins records, but at least they'll have "one foot in the blues."
Jack Ingram
Jack Ingram's Hey You was released last week, but we failed to cover it then. It deserves your attention, no matter when it came out.
Lucky Dog Records is fast becoming our favorite record label. The addition of Jack Ingram to the roster is such a natural, and further enhances their commitment to Texas Music.
Hey You is what today's real country music is all about. It's a well-balanced meal of love songs, two steppers and border ballads. Yes, it does twang. An essential element to country music, in our minds. All the usual ingredients are here; acoustic and electric guitars, pedal steel, keyboards, bass and drums, and a healthy portion of harmony vocals. But producer Richard Bennett has applied a feel to Jack's music that is huge. Tasteful guitar tones, and the mandolin in "Work This Out" is perfect. It makes this tune the highlight of the record.
The song writing enlists the best in the business. Jack wrote or co-wrote all 12 songs with the aid of some Texas Music mainstays including Bruce Robison and Jim Lauderdale. He and Todd Snider cover lust and love in two polar opposites, "Barbie Doll" and "Feel Like I'm Falling In Love" (Guess which one is which) They sound like they threw back a few shots before they blasted out "That girl's a Barbie doll, she's real good lookin' but she's got no heart at all." Jim Lauderdale proves he is the best tune smith in Nashville (via Texas!) on the above mentioned work of art, "Work This Out", and another hard hook with "I Would".
But the blue ribbon for best song writing must go to Jack himself. He goes it alone on two of the record’s heart breakers. He nails the couple who fights because they've got nothing else to say to each other on "Talk About". Then brings tears to your eyes describing "Inna From Mexico", who's "got a twelve year old, and she dies inside. She can't clear the picture from her eyes of leaving that little girl behind."
If you are a fan of the new breed of Texas country crooners like Robert Earl Keen, Bruce and/or Charlie Robison, this one's a must. Jack Ingram definitely sounds like Texas on Hey You.
- Shiner Boctoberfest – October 16th featuring Robert Earl Keen, Marcia Ball, Junior Brown, George DeVore and The Roam, The Hollisters, and Tito and Tarantula. For more information, visit the Shiner site at http://www.Shiner.com
- Cactus Records 24th Anniversary—Congratulations on 24 years to the best record store in Houston, and maybe the best in the country. If you’re in the Houston vicinity, go see them this weekend for sales, giveaways and instore appearances listed below. Tell them you read about it in the Sounds Like Texas newsletter:
Friday at noon – Hot Club of Cowtown, lunch provided by Thundercloud Subs
Friday at 6pm – Cory Morrow
Saturday at 1pm – Jack Saunders and at 4pm for new release (Cactus exclusive) party
Sunday at noon and 3 pm – Terry Allen
- Soon you can purchase your favorite Texas Music releases at SoundsLikeTexas.com. Watch for details.
This Texas Music News update brought to you by http://SoundsLikeTexas.com