CD Review: The Mavericks – Play The Hits – by Chris Keaton for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show

The Mavericks – Play The Hits

Mondo Mundo Recordings

1.Swingin’ 
2. Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way? 3. Blame It On Your Heart 4.
Don’t You Ever Get Tired ( Of Hurting Me) 5. Before The Next Teardrop Falls 6.
Hungry Heart 7. Why Can’t She Be You? 8. Once Upon A Time 9. Don’t Be Cruel 10.
Blue Eye’s Crying In The Rain 11. I’m Leaving It Up To You

DISCLAIMER: 
I was at the Ace of Clubs on Second Avenue, Nashville in the early
nineties when The Mavericks played an industry showcase.  I can still feel the air being sucked out the
room when Raul Malo began singing and Paul Deakin showed everyone how a snare
drum was supposed to be treated.  (In
fact, one the covers they included in their set was “Tonight The Bottle
Let Me Down.”) I have been a fan ever since. I am fortunate enough to have
called Raul and his family neighbor and whenever Jerry and Eddie are in town, I
am the third most dapper man in town. And my ears still ring from Paul’s snare
drum whacking all those years ago.

This record deserves to be heard in sequence and
in its entirety.  The band’s grasp of the
great musical lexicon is unrivaled and Raul’s voice is, well, Raul’s voice. The
recording is delightfully sparse and the arrangements leave enough air to allow
everything to find its sonic place. Ear candy as far as I am concerned.

Every track in this collection is special but
“Why Can’t She Be You?” Stopped me in my tracks.  Raul is in exceptional voice on this loping
number. These guys know the secret: the notes you leave out are the most important.
This will be on repeat in MY playlist.

Before I forget, “Don’t Be Cruel”
kicks ass on so many levels it is mindboggling!

Support music!

RECORD REVIEW BY CHRIS KEATON Music publisher,
music industry consultant, author, Member N.C. Music Hall of Fame 2016; Grammy
Voting Member; Macy’s Style Crew

IG: @chrisjkeaton FB: chriskeatonmusic for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show

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