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Real country music… not the type that the hit-makers in
Nashville have been churning out for the past twenty years…
But the kind that Johnny Cash was making for over five
decades and Merle Haggard continues to create, God bless
him. I feel very refreshed listening to the Hacienda Brothers.
This self-titled record from the honky-tonk duo is full of songs
of heartbreak and loss, twanging guitars, and even the odd baritone
solo here and there. Rich vocals, deep and resonant, are to be
found on each song, whether it's Chris Gaffney or Dave
Gonzalez handling the lead vocal chores. Their voices ring
of days gone by and their songs are brilliantly well written,
both honky tonk tunes and reflective balladry. This record is,
quite frankly, everything that is right about real country music
that illuminates everything wrong with the current pop-country
mainstream. I think that if Chet Atkins had known what
he was creating, he would have thought twice before introducing
the world to countrypolitan… but I digress.
"She's Gone" begins the album in steel guitar soaked
fashion and an excellent guitar solo, lamenting the departure
of love. Just like real country music should be. "Mental
Revenge" begins the twang on the album and is produced to
sound like it has come directly off of an LP from the late 60's.
Just like real country music should be. "Leavin' On My Mind"
takes my ear to the glory days of early Johnny Paycheck
when Lloyd Green was playing his unique brand of pedal
steel. These licks are brilliantly executed and nail the sound
that steel is supposed to have. Just like real country music should
be. "South Of Lonesome" has that brilliant quirky twanging
guitar that reminds me of the righteous era of early George
Jones and also the same sort of excellent songwriting that
came from that same period. Just like real country music should
be. "Railed" is full of guitars that are reminiscent
of the Ventures, underscored by that same awesome pedal
steel and solid rhythm section found on other songs. Just like
real country music should be. The lonesome train feel of "No
Time To Waste" is very reminiscent of Johnny Cash's salad
days. Just like real country music should be.
So, if you are like me and have a special place in your heart
for the country music of the 60's - the golden era of Nashville
- then this album simply must be heard. Go find yourself a copy
immediately. Now I've just got to formulate a plan to have the
Hacienda Brothers tour with Dale Watson and The Domino
Kings and play clubs with excellent dance floors for kickin'
up the heels of boots. But not shiny boots - the real working
cowboy's dirty scuffy boots.
-Embo Blake
Track Listing:
1. She's Gone
2. Mental Revenge
3. Leavin' On My Mind
4. I'm So Proud
5. South Of Lonesome
6. Looking For Loneliness
7. Walkin' In My Dreams
8. Railed
9. No Time To Waste
10. The Years That Got Away
11. Seven Little Numbers
12. I've Got A Secret
13. Turn To Grey
14. Saguaro
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