I had the priveledge of getting to see Pat perform some of his new songs at a Rodeo a couple of weeks ago and I have to give them all a 5 star rating. Makes me proud to be a TEXAN!
This may well be THE Bob Wills album of all time. The only sad thing about that is that Bob was no longer able to fiddle and only rasps out a few words and "Aaahs" on a few of the tracks. He was the inspiration for this reunion of so many of his Texas Playboys and Merle Haggard, as he has continues to be the inspiration for so many artists today. Haggard was never a Texas Playboy, but he should have been, and he helps kick off this CD by taking the vocals on "Texas Playboy Theme." (If you can find it, check out Haggard's own Wills tribute from the early '70's titled "A Tribute To The Best Damn Fiddle Player In The World, or My Salute To Bob Wills"). Also missing here is Tommy Duncan, who died in the '60's, but Haggard and Leon Rausch would have made him proud on the songs they sing. The Texas Playboys were in fine form and the versions of "Faded Love," "San Antonio Rose," "Big Ball's In Cowtown," and many others are as good or better than previously recorded versions. As great as Bob Wills himself was, this album and the many tribute albums recorded since then show that it's the music that will live on forever.
My first experience with CCR was watching Cody acoustic at the Wormy Dog in Stillwater my freshman year in college (maybe 6 years ago) and I've been spreading the gospel ever since. I've had Carney since the day it came out (maybe 4 yrs?) and I still crank it when I'm on the road and sing along. Don't pass this one by.
To be a major label debut, it's major disappointment. Listened to clips of this on CD NOW- and was happy to hear only 30 seconds. Pat- please work on your songwriting!!! Enough of your neo-Texas, beer drinking bull sh*t.
i could say that i expected too much or that my standards are too high when it comes to REK, but you have to face it this cd is not his style and isnt very good. the whole cd sounds like it was drug induced, the way he mumbles through the road goes on forever should be a sin!
CROSS CANADIAN RAGWEED RULES!!!!
I'M A CARNEY MAN!!!
Far and away, Cooder Graw's best CD. Hayden Nicholas gets an A+, and so does the band!
According to Deadman's chief wrangler, Steven Collins, the band aspires to "feel like a really great Clint Eastwood western." By this, it is assumed, Deadman wishes to sound windswept, violent, and cheap. If that was Deadman's intention, it has failed miserably. While Cuatro Canciones is undoubtedly aloof and maybe even a little mysterious, it is, by far, much more pleasant than mean. As the title suggests, the c.d. consists of four songs, each of which is marked by the band's distinctly somber sensibility. Overall, Deadman's sound is one of soft yearning, marked in places by plangent guitars that flare like sheet lightning in the darkling gloom of brushed drums and gently rolling bass. Collins' plaintive vocals nestle in a gown of crushed velvet that not only caresses it, but also helps to draw attention away from its infrequent weak moments. While some may quip that the band sounds like the Cowboy Junkies spaced out on morphine and Quaaludes, many of its tunes have a dark delicacy that the Canadian combo hasn't attained for years.
I played Gravitational Forces for 3 days straight as soon as it arrived in the mail. I think every song on it is enoyable. Of course I have my favorites - "Hello New Orleans," "Goin' Nowhere Blues," and "Wild Wind." I think this REK has finally mastered the use of that smoldering, sexy voice of his. It really comes out on this album better than on any of his previous albums. I also think this one is a winner because of the lyrics on each and every REK written song. This man whispers to my soul. I can feel what he was feeling as he scribbled down the words to each tune banging around in his head. I don't care what anyone else says, this one's gonna be a classic.
OK, I didn't care for it at first. But I have to say it has grown on me. "Wild Wind", "Hall Of Fame", "Not A Drop Of Rain" and "Walkin' Cane" are all great songs. Its true that the whole CD has a very relaxed sound to it. And it isn't as good as his earlier stuff. But C'mon guys, It is had to hit a home run everytime at the plate. It is better than 90% than the other shit out there. Give it a serious listen, you'll discover a very good, but not great CD.
