Here are a few short reviews of some of my top favorites
Steve Earle - Washington Square Serenade
When I saw Steve Earle at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in September I was disappointed with his set and it left me wondering about this album. Was it going to suck? Would this be a bust album, another disappointment like his ACL set? Well after purchasing this album partly on intriguing interest, I have to say "WOW" and shame on me for ever doubting him! This album is an album like only few people like Steve Earle can pull off. Trying to describe this album is tough the best I can say I guess is bluegrass meet a little hip-hop/pop. Bluegrass instruments are all over this album like the banjo, mandolin, acoustic guitar and harmonica but they are all mixed with the reverb and a slow beat of hip-hop. It's a very cool sound. Now as on par for Steve Earle he has political driven songs like "City of Immigrants" that I don't agree with but that is the thing I take with a gain of salt and say it is just a song and while I don't agree with the words it is still a cool song. Go buy this album I don't think you will regret it.Bleu Edmondson - Lost Boy
Bleu Edmondson has always been one of my favorite artists on the Texas Music scene partly because his music is a little different than the rest. I have loved all the past albums he has put out but I have to say the long awaited (having been about 5 years since the last one) studio album "Lost Boy" is different but is with out a doubt Bleu's best album to date. The album's rocking and soulful sound replaces the county and soulful feel that has been on his previous albums. There is no mistake about it this is a rock n roll album. The song's on "Lost Boy" are deep, insightful and reflect some of Bleu's best lyrics ever. The co-written songs like "Resurrection", which was witten with Wade Bowen and recorded earlier by Bowen, offers in my opion more soul and feeling than Wade's version. One of the other co-write is with the great Ray Wylie Hubbard "Another Morning After (the night before)" is simple song that I think most of us can relate to. Last thing is that Bleu fans now have a studio album that reflects his live shows. If you have not heard of Bleu Edmondson go buy Lost Boy and you see what I am talking about. Ryan Bingham - Mescalito
Ryan Bingham with the voice that sound like an older guy in which whiskey, cigarettes and hard times have taken there toll. Ryan's song-writting is much the same. Hard to believe he only 25. With hints of Dylan, Woody Guthrie and Townes Van Zandt in his voice and writting it's no wonder Mescalito is one of the top albums in the Texas and Americana Music genure. This troubadour takes from his time as a bull rider and experiences along the way. With a mix of gritty folk music and hard times, beer drinking country music. This album is sure to go down as a classic!
