Long in the Sun is another great collaboration between Troy Campbell and studio master Gurf Morlix. I can see why Troy is hailed as one of Austin's finest songwriters.
Filmmaker, animator, songwriter, Troy Campbell has made one of the brightest sounding albums of his career.
This great, historic recording from KUT radio's 'Live Set' captures the Highwaymen at their rockin' best. The chemistry between songwriters Troy Campbell & Scrappy Jud Newcomb makes for groundbreaking magic. "Wearin' Away," "Kentucky Eyes" and "Buttons of Your Skin" are among the classics from the album. "Highway 61" harkens back to the days when they first moved to Austin, and it was regularly belted out on the jukebox at Blue Bayou. Before selling the name to the old country guys and becoming Loose Diamonds, the Highwaymen pioneered what we now know as 'Americana.' You should own this CD!!
Having been a Loose Diamonds fan for years, I was anxious to see what Troy Campbell could do as a solo artist. I am blown away with his first solo release. All new, original songs like 'Sleeping Man," "Hazel" and "just Who's Drivin'" show how much Troy has matured as a songwriter since his days with Loose Diamonds. "Nobody," the co-write with Chris Feinstein (iodine) stands out, and backing vocals by Patty Griffin on "Somewhere" take this record over the top. Great record, Troy; keep up the great work!
'American Breakdown,' what a great album by Troy Campbell. He keeps getting better and better. One of these days, maybe his name will be known outside of Austin, and a handful of cities around the globe. I actually saw a quick write-up in USA Today by Ken Barnes (May 2007,) that said 'Austin filmmaker/singer/songwriter songs about hard-won wisdom simply and elegantly (kind of like Buddy Holly might have.'
great new cd,I have ordered some extras
FEB 06 Kut Live set with band was great
sounded like neil young crazy horse!!!
Troy Campbell effortlessly combines gritty, heartfelt lyrics with a sense of tunefulness, and the result is a unique splinter of Americana that has won high praise throughout North American, Europe and Japan. While Campbell's fans are certainly dedicated and numerous, what is perhaps more telling is the number - and quality - of musicians who count themselves as fans of Troy's catalog. A musician's musician whose work is easily accessible to the wider public, Campbell unveiled his latest release, American Breakdown, which easily picks up where his Loose Diamonds left off. This is artist not yet close to peaking, yet levels ahead of others in the Americana genre.
Troy Campbell's sultry, seductive songs were originally introduced to me by my friend Barnes who lives up in Boston. Always an arbiter of good taste, he never steered me wrong before, having brought me to countless albums and artists I might never have heard of before were it not for his tasteful tips. Still, I had no idea what to expect from 'American Breakdown', the second solo set from former leader of Austin alt-country combo Loose Diamonds. In a word, it's simply superb.
While Campbell remains faithful to the roots rock formula, it's the emotion that he imparts that sets him apart. 'The World Keeps on Ending' is a heartbreaking tale of hardship and heartbreak that's both convincing and compelling. The traditional sounding 'Rosabelle' tells a dual tale of a man going off to the dreariness of the mines and his lover who lives with the uncertainty of the fate that awaits him. 'World of Tears' and 'Sorrytown' are filled with reflection and contemplation, soaked in the sadness conveyed in their titles.
Still, Campbell's not the type to be beaten down by circumstances. 'Sad Truth', 'Blind' and 'Home After Dark' are rousing, resolute anthems buffered with riveting arrangements that build to anthem-like proportions. The sinewy rhythms surrounding Campbell's whispered vocals in 'Sleeping Without You' and the brooding atmospheric ambiance flowing through 'Pacific' further attest to Campbell's skills and ability. For those reasons and many more, 'American Breakdown' is one of the better efforts to come along this year. (www.troycampbell.com)
