0119 PAGE 04 Reviews new 1 - Buddy · make a balanced life, by saying, “Alright, alright,...
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JANUARY 2019 BUDDY 5 RECORD REVIEWS Coby Wier Seven Independent release TEXAS MUSIC ICON, Rusty Wier, left a large footprint dur- ing his long successful career. His son, Coby, is the first to ad- mit those are big footprints to walk in. But he’s taken the plunge and stepped out on his own with a new independent EP release, Seven. “I Won’t Break” begins on a slow easy roll, with acoustic gui- Kendall Beard vh WITH THE ONSET OF NEW Year’s Day, I can just bet that most of you received Facebook mes- sages including sparkly lights and snow coming down, and many emails wishing you and yours a Happy New Year. I did. And those are beautiful and heartfelt. I also re- ceived one old-school Christmas card actually in the mail, and that was actually from a musician. Yes, they can be old- school, too. Of all those I read, I believe this was my favorite, posted by JoKyle Varner, owner of the music and wedding venue Heri- tage Hall in Paris and of a sound company — no telling what else. This year, JoKyle and his wife, Hannah, welcomed their second child into the family, and he produced his second Back Yard Bash and added a Party Barn to Heritage Hall. Here’s what else he recapped for this year, starting with his birthday, which is on New Year’s Day. “My highway has sure been good to me… as of today, I’ve been at it for 32 years with plenty of road left.” He added that he’s had to make a constant effort to keep his life semi-balanced in 2018. “I felt like my roller coaster was way out of control at times. I think all of us struggle with balance.” For 2019, he recommends and said he will be doing these himself, to focus on balancing and best prioritize time and em- phasize all things important. “Keep livin’ your dream; Fly at your altitude; Hug her; Hug him; Hold that baby; Cook a new dish; Don’t brake when you hit ice; Schedule lunch with a peer; Schedule lunch with a mentor; Schedule lunch with a mentee; Drink a beer; Get the steak next time; Risk it; Provide; Give; Be on time; Respect your peer; Earn it in return; Be thankful; Pray more; Love harder.” A while back, I signed up for “Opt for Optimism” and followed through on so much of the daily suggestions, i.e.: Donate clothes you don’t wear, buy a cup of coffee for a stranger, thank a mentor or a teacher, write a letter to someone you care about, take a cake to your fire station. JoKyle sums it all up, no mat- ter which program one selects to make a balanced life, by saying, “Alright, alright, alright.. Just keep living, y’all.” JoKyle and I both say, Happy New Year y’all! tar and Coby’s vocal. Thinking it would be that type of song, I couldn’t have been more surprised when he transitioned seamlessly into a rock tune. But it’s the lyrics that draw as he tips his hat to his father. It is a conversation he would like to have with his father in heaven. A strong statement in “On My Own,” Coby declares he’s ready with “Going on out my own/ My way is the way it’s going to be…” Guitar driven, “What Willis Said,” is Texas blues at its best with hot riffs and blis- tering lead. Coby’s mu- sicianship shines on this instrumental. “Birdiefrog” is an- other jaw-dropping instrumen- tal featuring Coby on the acous- tic guitar. The finger work is nothing short of brilliant and delivered with expert precision. Coby has always said, “Peace, Love and Monkey Grease,” as a byline. Now he’s turned it into a full-fledged Texas boogie with more stellar guitar work from his magic fingers. Undoubtedly “Lay This Gui- tar Down” is the most poignant tune on the album. Written by John Inmon and Leonard Arnold, and performed live many years by Rusty, Coby does a worthy rendition of this timeless tune, but he does his way. Another instrumental, “In Your Blue Eyes,” showcases Coby’s natural-born talent. The riffs he lays down on the acoustic guitar are unequaled. While this is Coby’s solo al- bum, it won’t be his last. Each song is executed with a unique style and precision. The Coby Wier Band will play at the Saxon Pub on January 12. His EP, Seven, is available at CDBaby. —JAN SIKES Jason Eady I Travel On Old Guitar Records THIS NEW CD FROM Jason Eady is easily the best album I’ve listened to all year. From start to finish, there is not one bad song on it. Produced by Kevin Welch and Jason Eady, I Travel On was recorded at Blue Room Studios in Nashville. With Eady on acous- tic guitar and vocals, Rob Ickes on Dobro, Trey Hensley on lead acoustic guitar, Kevin Foster on fiddle, mandolin and vocal har- monies, Naj Conklin on upright bass, Giovanni Carnuccio on drums and percussion, along with Courtney Patton and Kevin Welch on vocal harmonies, this album is over the top in musical and vocal talent. The jaw-dropping flat-top guitar picking on “I Lost My Mind in Carolina,” is unrivaled. Re- leased to radio, this single is al- ready climbing the charts. “The clock keeps ticking, and it’s right on cue/ Now or never, never sounded so true…” delivers a compelling mes- sage on “Now or Never.” “Happy Man” is a contented feel-good song. In “Calaveras County,” there are no strangers, and there’s room for a man to be his own. Isn’t it “Always a Woman” that can make or break a man? “That’s Alright” is a compila- tion of life’s vignettes that create a mood, a feeling that causes a man to want to stay. The musi- cianship shines on this tune with the acoustic guitar and fiddle. When the river starts rising, it’s going to take everything “Be- low the Waterline.” It doesn’t care what you think or where you stand. Again, the jaw-dropping fin- gers flying across the strings of the acoustic guitar on “Pretty When I Die,” is nothing short of brilliant pure raw talent. The story told through “She Had to Run,” is one of an abused woman who finally decides death awaits if she stays. “She knew the next time he’d do what he always said he would…” If you’re going to die on the mountain, at least you’ll die try- ing. It’s all about “The Climb.” The album concludes with the title track, “I Travel On.” The road calls and the troubadour must go. The lyrics, vocals, harmony and melody on I Travel On are superb. This is Americana music at its best. Jason Eady will per- form at The Sons of Hermann Hall on Feb 19. For more visit jasoneady.com. —JAN SIKES Chuck Shaw Chuck Shaw Independent WHILE Chuck Shaw WASN’T born in Texas, he always knew it was where he belonged. He put down his roots in San Marcos and immersed himself into Texas music. There is a bit of Lone Star country in each song on this self- titled album recorded at Yellow Dog Studios in Wimberly. Pro- duced by Dave Percefull, the album has the warmth we’ve come to expect from the famed studio. “Dirty Woman Creek,” incor- porates a perfect blend of lyrics, guitar, and harmonica. Shaw’s cover of a hidden gem, “Ain’t No Bad Time” is a song everyone can relate to. “There ain’t no bad time for a good thing…” A country shuffle with harmonica, fiddle, and twanging guitar, “Burn That Oil,” tells of a young man’s dreams. “Tonight I’ll Stay Home,” speaks of the pain of lost love and how some- times you simply need to be alone in your misery. A song that could only be born in the Lone Star State, “Rodeo Man,” chronicles the nomadic life of a rodeo cowboy. Coby Wier We’ve all had those morning- after cobwebs and can only “Hope I can get through the day.” Crying steel guitar sets the mood for “Winter’s Fallen Snow.” It is another story of lost love and heartbreak. We move straight from win- ter to “Late Summer Moon,” where hope for new love blooms. Perhaps an autobiographical song, “Somehow I’m Still Alive,” takes a trip down memory lane. “It’s a new day, and I’m still stand- ing/Somehow I’m still alive…” The other cover tune on the album, “Long Black Veil,” is well- done in Shaw’s unique traditional country style. “Twenty Minutes Til Closing Time,” is a familiar theme told differently. “It’s twenty minutes ’til closing time/And I ain’t going home alone…” The album ends with a rous- ing gospel tune “Rise Up.” It en- compasses everything a tradi- tional country/gospel tune should. It gives hope for tomor- row while offering advice for liv- ing today. “Keep the faith brother/ That’s the way to live/Love your neighbor/Yeah, you’ve got to give…” Like so many good things in life, the songs play fast and easy, then linger long after the last note fades away. If you are a fan of traditional Texas country music, you will love this album from Chuck Shaw! —JAN SIKES Jason Eady Chuck Shaw ALLISON CROMER
Transcript of 0119 PAGE 04 Reviews new 1 - Buddy · make a balanced life, by saying, “Alright, alright,...
JANUARY 2019 BUDDY 5
RECORDREVIEWS
Coby WierSevenIndependent releaseTEXAS MUSIC ICON, RustyWier, left a large footprint dur-ing his long successful career.His son, Coby, is the first to ad-mit those are big footprints towalk in. But he’s taken the plungeand stepped out on his own witha new independent EP release,Seven.
“I Won’t Break” begins on aslow easy roll, with acoustic gui-
Kendall Beard
vh
WITH THE ONSET OFNEW Year’s Day, I canjust bet that most of youreceived Facebook mes-sages including sparklylights and snow comingdown, and many emailswishing you and yours aHappy New Year. I did.And those are beautifuland heartfelt. I also re-ceived one old-schoolChristmas card actuallyin the mail, and that wasactually from a musician.Yes, they can be old-school, too.
Of all those I read, I believethis was my favorite, posted byJoKyle Varner, owner of themusic and wedding venue Heri-tage Hall in Paris and of a sound
company — no telling what else.This year, JoKyle and his wife,Hannah, welcomed their secondchild into the family, and heproduced his second Back YardBash and added a Party Barn toHeritage Hall.
Here’s what else he recappedfor this year, starting with hisbirthday, which is on New Year’sDay.
“My highway has sure beengood to me… as of today, I’vebeen at it for 32 years with plentyof road left.” He added that he’shad to make a constant effort tokeep his life semi-balanced in2018.
“I felt like my roller coasterwas way out of control at times.I think all of us struggle withbalance.”
For 2019, he recommendsand said he will be doing thesehimself, to focus on balancingand best prioritize time and em-phasize all things important.
“Keep livin’ your dream; Fly
at your altitude; Hug her; Hughim; Hold that baby; Cook a newdish; Don’t brake when you hitice; Schedule lunch with a peer;Schedule lunch with a mentor;Schedule lunch with a mentee;Drink a beer; Get the steak nexttime; Risk it; Provide; Give; Beon time; Respect your peer; Earnit in return; Be thankful; Praymore; Love harder.”
A while back, I signed up for“Opt for Optimism” and followedthrough on so much of thedaily suggestions, i.e.: Donateclothes you don’t wear, buy acup of coffee for a stranger,thank a mentor or a teacher,write a letter to someone youcare about, take a cake to yourfire station.
JoKyle sums it all up, no mat-ter which program one selects tomake a balanced life, by saying,“Alright, alright, alright.. Justkeep living, y’all.”
JoKyle and I both say, HappyNew Year y’all!
tar and Coby’s vocal.Thinking it would bethat type of song, Icouldn’t have beenmore surprised whenhe transitionedseamlessly into a rocktune. But it’s the lyricsthat draw as he tips hishat to his father. It is aconversation he wouldlike to have with hisfather in heaven.
A strong statementin “On My Own,” Cobydeclares he’s ready with“Going on out my own/My way is the way it’sgoing to be…”
Guitar driven,“What Willis Said,” isTexas blues at its bestwith hot riffs and blis-tering lead. Coby’s mu-sicianship shines on thisinstrumental.
“Birdiefrog” is an-other jaw-dropping instrumen-tal featuring Coby on the acous-tic guitar. The finger work isnothing short of brilliant anddelivered with expert precision.
Coby has always said, “Peace,Love and Monkey Grease,” as abyline. Now he’s turned it into afull-fledged Texas boogie withmore stellar guitar work from hismagic fingers.
Undoubtedly “Lay This Gui-tar Down” is the most poignanttune on the album. Written byJohn Inmon and Leonard Arnold,
and performed live many yearsby Rusty, Coby does a worthyrendition of this timeless tune,but he does his way.
Another instrumental, “InYour Blue Eyes,” showcasesCoby’s natural-born talent. Theriffs he lays down on the acousticguitar are unequaled.
While this is Coby’s solo al-bum, it won’t be his last. Eachsong is executed with a uniquestyle and precision.
The Coby Wier Band will playat the Saxon Pub on January 12.His EP, Seven, is available atCDBaby.
—JAN SIKES
Jason EadyI Travel OnOld Guitar RecordsTHIS NEW CD FROM JasonEady is easily the best album I’velistened to all year. From start tofinish, there is not one bad songon it. Produced by Kevin Welchand Jason Eady, I Travel On wasrecorded at Blue Room Studiosin Nashville. With Eady on acous-tic guitar and vocals, Rob Ickeson Dobro, Trey Hensley on leadacoustic guitar, Kevin Foster onfiddle, mandolin and vocal har-monies, Naj Conklin on uprightbass, Giovanni Carnuccio ondrums and percussion, alongwith Courtney Patton and KevinWelch on vocal harmonies, thisalbum is over the top in musicaland vocal talent.
The jaw-dropping flat-top
guitar picking on“I Lost My Mindin Carolina,” isunrivaled. Re-leased to radio,this single is al-ready climbingthe charts.
“The clockkeeps ticking, andit’s right on cue/Now or never,never sounded sotrue…” delivers acompelling mes-sage on “Now orNever.”
“Happy Man” is a contentedfeel-good song.
In “Calaveras County,” thereare no strangers, and there’s roomfor a man to be his own.
Isn’t it “Always a Woman”that can make or break a man?
“That’s Alright” is a compila-tion of life’s vignettes that createa mood, a feeling that causes aman to want to stay. The musi-cianship shines on this tune withthe acoustic guitar and fiddle.
When the river starts rising,it’s going to take everything “Be-low the Waterline.” It doesn’tcare what you think or whereyou stand.
Again, the jaw-dropping fin-gers flying across the strings ofthe acoustic guitar on “PrettyWhen I Die,” is nothing short ofbrilliant pure raw talent.
The story told through “SheHad to Run,” is one of an abusedwoman who finally decides deathawaits if she stays. “She knew thenext time he’d do what he alwayssaid he would…”
If you’re going to die on themountain, at least you’ll die try-ing. It’s all about “The Climb.”
The album concludes withthe title track, “I Travel On.” Theroad calls and the troubadourmust go.
The lyrics, vocals, harmonyand melody on I Travel On aresuperb. This is Americana musicat its best. Jason Eady will per-form at The Sons of HermannHall on Feb 19. For more visit
jasoneady.com.—JAN SIKES
Chuck ShawChuck ShawIndependentWHILE Chuck Shaw WASN’Tborn in Texas, he always knew itwas where he belonged. He putdown his roots in San Marcosand immersed himself into Texasmusic. There is a bit of Lone Starcountry in each song on this self-titled album recorded at YellowDog Studios in Wimberly. Pro-duced by Dave Percefull, thealbum has the warmth we’vecome to expect from the famedstudio.
“Dirty Woman Creek,” incor-porates a perfect blend of lyrics,guitar, and harmonica. Shaw’scover of a hidden gem, “Ain’t NoBad Time” is a song everyone canrelate to. “There ain’t no badtime for a good thing…”
A country shuffle withharmonica, fiddle, andtwanging guitar, “BurnThat Oil,” tells of a youngman’s dreams.
“Tonight I’ll StayHome,” speaks of the painof lost love and how some-times you simply need tobe alone in your misery.
A song that could onlybe born in the Lone StarState, “Rodeo Man,”chronicles the nomadiclife of a rodeo cowboy.
Coby Wier
We’ve all had those morning-after cobwebs and can only“Hope I can get through the day.”
Crying steel guitar sets themood for “Winter’s Fallen Snow.”It is another story of lost love andheartbreak.
We move straight from win-ter to “Late Summer Moon,”where hope for new love blooms.
Perhaps an autobiographicalsong, “Somehow I’m Still Alive,”takes a trip down memory lane.“It’s a new day, and I’m still stand-ing/Somehow I’m still alive…”
The other cover tune on thealbum, “Long Black Veil,” is well-done in Shaw’s unique traditionalcountry style.
“Twenty Minutes Til ClosingTime,” is a familiar theme tolddifferently. “It’s twenty minutes’til closing time/And I ain’t goinghome alone…”
The album ends with a rous-ing gospel tune “Rise Up.” It en-compasses everything a tradi-tional country/gospel tuneshould. It gives hope for tomor-row while offering advice for liv-ing today. “Keep the faith brother/That’s the way to live/Love yourneighbor/Yeah, you’ve got togive…”
Like so many good things inlife, the songs play fast and easy,then linger long after the lastnote fades away.
If you are a fan of traditionalTexas country music, you willlove this album from ChuckShaw!
—JAN SIKES
Jason Eady
Chuck Shaw
ALLI
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