Reviews
Artist:West Of Texas Album: Heartache, Hangovers & Honky Tonks
Label: Pleasant Valley Ranch
Tracks: 16
Website: http://www.westoftexas.com
The bedrock tracks recorded between 2009 and 2012, but put on hold when ill-health rendered frontman Jerry Zinn unable to sing, the album was completed recently with the addition of his vocals, the result being a terrific collection of old school country that, as the title suggests, involves beer, bars and broken hearts, in the grand Bakersfield and Austin manner of legends such as Bob Wills, Commander Cody, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Ernest Tubb, New Riders Of The Purple Sage and Asleep At The Wheel.
They pour a glass early, kicking off with the jaunty 'My Whiskey Life', pedal steel, piano and double bass akimbo, serving as a chaser for the likes of the honky tonk waltzer 'Watcha' Drinkin'', '12 Steps To Drinkin'' and, gathering all together, the Willie Nelson outlaw bluesy groove of 'Cheatin', Drinkin', Hurtin' Song'.
Turning to the heartbreaks, first up comes the pedal steel flowing 'Foolin'', followed by the George Jones flavours of 'Cost Of Lovin' You', the train time rhythm of 'Darlin' How You've Changed', the quickstepping 'This Fool', 'Sign Of A Broken Heart', the twangsome 'You're Still The One I Dream Of', 'If You Were In My Shoes' and 'Sound Of My Heart Breakin''. It's not all tears and beers, however, a more optimistic outlook taken with the frisky 'Fixin' To Love You', while moving to a different theme, 'Dead End Job Blues' is pretty much summed up by the title. And by way of a musical variation, they also throw in some accordion swinging catchy Cajun with 'Bayou Boy' that would do Doug Sahm proud.
Regardless the tales of lost love, this is resolutely spirited and infectious listening that puts a spring in the step and a probably a beer in the hand as Zinn perfectly captures the sound and spirit of his influences. Now his voice is back, he's also put together a new band with plans to get into the studio as soon as possible to lay down a whole bunch of new songs. I'll have a pitcher waiting.
Mike Davies
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Fatea Showcase Sessions
The Fatea Showcase Sessions are a series of downloads featuring acts that we've really enjoyed and think that more people should get the chance to hear.
Pirate is the current session and features 16 fantastic artists check out the website to find out more about them and download your copy
www.fatea-showcase-sessions.co.uk for all the artist information.