James
Robert Webb
Honky Tonk Revival
Six Strings & the Truth 3:42
Hard Workin’ Women 3:00 Nobody in his Right Mind Would’ve Left Her 2:50
Honky Tonk Revival 3:27 He Stopped
Loving Her Today 4:13 Heart Hangover 3:00 Slow One 3:27
Call Me Anytime 2:52 American Beauty
2:43 Falling Star 3:30 Man on a Mission 4:02
Today was a good day; my credit
score bumped up 100 points, I got another $300 in credit, and I got approved
for medical marijuana. You really can’t beat a day like that. After last week’s
mess, I guess it was deserved. So, I’m back to reviewing, finally.
The album
opens up with, Six Strings & the Truth. James Robert Webb has a good
deep voice, not raspy just that cowboy deep. This song has a pretty catchy
rhythm once the drums kick in. Probably, without the accent this could be
considered a rock song. The rhythm guitar pumps the chords and breaks down into
pretty defined riffs, as the lead produces some really nice solos as the song
progresses. So far, this band has its shit together and you really can
appreciate the professionalism that they possess. It is a pretty tight unit.
Hard
Workin’ Women, is not a
title I would expect coming from the idea of a “Honky Tonk Revival”,
but it definitely has my attention right off the bat. I guess that’s a pretty
sexist statement. Anyway, it is an anthem to the women that stand behind their
man and make them what they are. The song itself has a pretty fast tempo and
the solos switch between the lead guitar and a fiddle. There is also a pianist
that joins in. So far, and it’s still early, this is one of the best songs I’ve
heard in a while. A bit different than, “my baby left me, let me drown in
my sorrows, or let’s get drunk and screw.”
Wait this
next one, Nobody in his Right Mind Would’ve Left Her, is just the type
of song I was referring to. The song really demonstrates James Robert Webb’s
vocal range and ability. Even if it’s a “drown in your sorrows” song,
it is a good one. It’s short and to the point. Now the album’s namesake, Honkey
Tonk Revival, is just what it sounds like. I do like the fiddle, steel
guitar and piano and the references to Merle Haggard, Hank Williams and Johnny
Cash. This song is a real “boot scootin’ jamboree.”
He
Stopped Loving Her Today,
is a softer sweet ballad. I’m not sure if this song is about a guy dying or
just metaphorically dying. Any which way, I can relate to it as much as the
next guy when you know a relationship is over and it’s just not worth hanging
on anymore. A Soft Slow One, is just that a soft slow one. Opens with a sad
fiddle that seems to find its way through the tune. It’s a nice song, basically
sounds like a letter to his girl or soon to be ex.
Call
Me Anytime, picks it up with the lead guitar
producing a nice riff. The lyrics are fairly humorous, the solos are great and
when it kicks into the acoustic riff that serves as the bridge it’s a great
connector. It really brings the song together. Now the song I’ve been waiting
for, American Beauty. I don’t know why I’ve been waiting for this. I
guess it’s because it’s the title of that Grateful Dead album. I love the
opening of this song. The chord progression is solid. It’s definitely a song
that has to get the crowd moving. This song didn’t disappoint.
Man
on a Mission, was a
great choice to end this album. It really displays a “Honky Tonk
Revival.” The fiddle, the dancing piano, the tempo, the structure and
message all just make you want to move.
Overall,
this album is definitely driven by a great fiddle and the vocals and lyrics. I
would have to say that this album should belong in any true country music
lover’s collection. The vocals are truly inspirational how they expound upon
the rhythm and lyrics driving home the message and relaying the feeling as they
dance through the ear drums.
For Country Music News International
by Jeremy Frost