Bob Luman – Hony Tonk Man

CD Review: Bob Luman – Honky Tonk Man

by Chris Keaton for Country Music News International Magazine

  1. Still Loving You
  2. Honky Tonk Man
  3. Come On Home and Sing The Blues To Daddy
  4. Everyday I Have To Cry Some
  5. The Gun
  6. Getting Back To Norma
  7. It’s All Over (But The Shouting)
  8. The Great Snowman
  9. Woman Without Love
  10. Knee Deep In The Blues
  11. Guitar Man
  12. I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine
  13. Cleaning’ Up The Streets of Memphis
  14. Today I Started Loving You Again

 

 

Bob Luman has been gone from this planet since 1978 but his music lives on in large part to the passion of Paul Martin and Thomas Gramuglia and Country Rewind Records for bringing this music back. This album features vocals by Luman’s daughter, Melissa, as well as industry giants Buddy Cannon and Steve Wariner.

 

The album jumps from the first note.  Still Loving You  sets the tone and when he starts singing there is no doubt at all who’s in charge.  A masterful singer, storyteller and performer who takes no prisoners. In my humble opinion, every emerging artist should listen to this album for inspiration and direction.

 

The production on these tracks is incredibly tight and each instrument and player gets his share of the spotlight without ever losing sight of the song itself. His take on Everyday I Have To Cry Some is a master class in this.  The vocal stays front and center with guitar and steel leaning in and bowing out creating a wonderful and joyous arrangement. (My guess it was as much a joy to record as it is to experience as a listener.)

 

I have to admit my favorite track is It’s All Over (But The Shouting. The plaintive vocal and the crooning back up vocals, the organ riff and the steel give me chills with each listen. This rockabilly work of art is short, sweet and straight to the point. As we say down south, “Woo-Hoo!”

 

Songs can be interpreted and shared in lots of different ways and Bob really made Jerry Reed’s Guitar Man come to life in this rocking’ version. Again, thank you Paul and Thomas for including this gem.

 

Dear readers, please do yourself a favor and listen to this absolutely fabulous set of recordings.

 

 

 

 

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