Walt Wilkins & The Mystiqueros - Diamonds In The SunIf you are are fan or follower of the Texas Music scene then you know who Walt Wilkins is. Those who don't Walt is one of the greatest songwriters out there having written a number of Pat Green songs, as well songs recorded by artists such as Ricky Skaggs, Ty Herndon and Pam Tillis to name a few and spent years in Nashville writing. I have no answer to why I hadn't bought this album when it came out. I am kicking myself now for not getting it sooner. While Diamonds In The Sun is not technically a debut CD it sort of is as it is the first with Walt's new band The Mystiqueros. This is kind of a super band in a way with all five members being singers, four are songwriters, and each has recorded their own album. On this album there are six newly penned Walt Wilkins' songs, one each by band members Bill Small and John Greenberg, and three covers like "The Shape I'm In" by The Band. This is just an unbelievable album with great southern folk, country, rock feel in the same feel as The Band and Th Eagles. "Trains I Missed", "Honky Tonk Road", "Get Me Gone" "Just Like Hank", "Stand Up Seven" and "The Shape I'm In" are among my favorites on the album but this album is full of gems.
Mary Gauthier - Between Daylight and Dark
I first heard of Mary Gauthier (pronounced Go-Shay) in Ray Wylie Hubbard's song "Name Droppin'" off his Growl CD, then saw her when she opened for John Prine a few years back. I soon after went out and bought her album Mercy Now and became an instant fan. When I saw she had come out with a new album I knew it would be good and after listening to it was not disappointed. Mary's music has dark bluesy folk fell and is very poetic in her writing. On Between Daylight and Dark has some very cool songs like "Snakebit" (co-written with Hayes Carll), "Between Daylight and Dark" (co-written with Fred Eaglesmith), "Last Of The Hobo Kings" and "Thanksgiving"on it to name a few. I would recommend this album to any music aficionado.
Peter Bjorn And John - Writer's Block
I first heard of this cool Swedish band at ACL this past fall. I (being of Swedish descent) had get their stuff. The first album of theirs I bought after was Falling Out and loved it. I then realized that was not their latest album after watching them on Directv's the 101 channel I went and purchased Writer's Block the latest of theirs and after listening to it a few times realize what really cool band this is. A few of my favorites are "Amsterdam", "Up Against The Wall" and "Let's Call It Off" to name a few. This is a really good indie pop/rock album. Judge for your self by getting Writer's Block.
Miranda Lambert - Crazy Ex-GirlfriendThis Texas born girl who came in second on the inaugural season of "Nashville Stars" and who I thought should have won is definitely proving I was right. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is Miranda's second major label release and blows the door off her previous album. With a blend of country mixed with a little rock and bluegrass the album starts out strong with "Gunpowder & Lead" and doesn't let up much. Miranda's writing is a little simplistic but does have strong storytelling type songs. Miranda's vocals are strong and a little twangy. The mix of banjo, mandolin, fiddle and keys can be heard though out this album. Miranda Lambert is one of the few artist in the Nashville main-stream country scene I respect while she did cut her teeth on the Texas Music circuit. This is a very good record.
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