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Corey
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Sharek
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Six Shooter Band “One Of These Days” by Corey Sharek
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Let me start by saying that
I’ve seen these guys live. I have seen them lay it down like tomorrow
was everyone’s last day on earth. I have seen vocalist/songwriter, Jason
Herrin, with nothing but an acoustic guitar completely floor an entire
audience. So it is with much anticipation that I get to finally hear
this record.
This Alan Thomas produced offering brings forth eleven Six Shooter penned songs, to which all bear Mr. Herrin’s credits. Various other members of band and staff also share in the songwriting duties to give this record a somewhat collaborative feel. I don’t know about some of you, but I know I speak for many in that we can tell the difference in a record when it is performed by the writer(s) and not in the throes of management’s whims. The first song “One of These Days” comes out with drums leading the rest of the band into what I know to be a killer rocking song. Unfortunately, I can’t say that the recording does anything to give the listener even an inkling of what this song really is. This first song is where we see the tonal colors that were chosen to paint this whole record. It is in the first seconds of this track that I feel the drums take part in the weakening of this record. Part of this is the drum tone; the other part is the performance. More on that later. “One Horse Town” begins with a very nice lead line that makes this song. This song’s guitar tones are well thought out and fit the mood well. In some ways, it reminds me of Hayes Carll’s song, “Wish I Hadn't Stayed So Long”, which I loved. Very nice piano is my first thought in “Wave Goodbye” …and then the rest of the band enters the scene. To me, the production takes a very good song down to a lesser level. But, Eric West’s keys, the Eagles-esque harmonies and the Bocephus-style riff and sensibilities, this song is one of those I look forward to hearing on future releases. I can just see it: Jason Herrin, Road Manager Clint Blake, and David Harness half-in-the-bag, talking about all of the Yankee transplants they’ve witnessed in cowboy garb out in the bars. Well, “Drugstore Cowboy” is a befitting ode to those jokers. It’s bordering cliché, but hardly a worn out theme. About track five I stopped and re-listened to all of the preceding tracks. I have to say that bass player Kyle Venable subtly adds to each and every song on this record. I only noticed it in this song “The One To Blame” because of a slight bass slide intro. He allows this song to flow perfectly. I could almost listen to just the bass and nylon-string guitar work off of each other by themselves had it not been for the classic harmonies singing a well written song. Adding to all of that was some very tasteful keyboard/Rhodes playing. “I Don’t Wanna Be Famous” and “What About You” are key examples of where different production could serve them well. These songs could be winners, but just sort of lay flat. Again, Phillip Harder and Mike Ray serve both the songs masterfully on lead and rhythm guitars. Incorporating more organic guitar tones and a more natural vocal take could launch “Goin’ Home” into Texas radio. As it is on this disc, it’s a good song that is just okay. “Red River Blues” was put on the record twice as two different versions. As an outsider, I just don’t see the point in the first version. It is moderately slower, moderately more sedate and just not too enthralling. Then Mr. Herrin lets the audience know that there’s a different way of doing things in Texas. And only then does the song take off. This song stands as an example of how this band performs live, rippin’ and roarin’, brash and full of attitude. It is disappointing that it is10 songs in that you finally get the taste you’ve been waiting for, but it's worth the wait; funky, flashy and fun. The last track “Hard Times” is a lonely acoustic number that pays tribute to the protagonist’s dad, divorce, and the sacrifices we all face in fulfilling our responsibilities. I would have preferred to hear this recorded with a single mic in a live sounding room to get the “authenticity” this song deserves. Throughout the whole disc, I was left with two impressions. First, I had the feeling that the drummer’s style wasn’t on the same page as the rest of the band. There were times that one choice was made when it should have been another; and so on. It is clear that Brent Dyess, who played drums on this record, is a more than capable player, but not really a fit on this recording. In deeper delving, I found that the liner notes told part of the story. Evan Ray, who is the drummer I’ve seen them live with, replaced Mr. Dyess at some point after recording, but before the record’s release. The other impression was that this record was multi-tracked part-by-part. It doesn’t feel “whole” at times. But apart from those quibbles, this is a good effort from some of East/Central Texas’s most devout and devoted players, who are doing a great job in keeping Texas music alive and well in 2005. Grade: C Corey Sharek, October 2005 E-mail me about this review Visit Six Shooter Band's website or to order their CD, click here. Track List:
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