The Eagle & The Snake

Two years removed from his sophomore effort, Brian Burns comes forth with a superb collection of Texas songs with the flavor of a South Texas cowboy drifting through time. Brian delivers the songs of Marty Robbins, Hoyt Axton, Gary P. Nunn and the great Tom Russell with smoothness, compassion and the respect that few can equal, along with several of his own finely song crafted titles.

From the opening song "Man Walks Among Us", Brian carries you on a journey through Texas history delivering you pictures, painted with the words, of his Texas heroes.

Marty Robbins is an obvious influence in Brian's music. Initially, the CD has a true Robbins flavor and he pays respect to him with fine covers of "Man Walks Among Us" and "The Ballad of the Alamo", while honoring the fine men who gave their lives for the freedom we enjoy here in Texas.

"Travis' Letter", presented by Brian with a fine acoustical guitar ballad, seemingly haunts with the souls of 185 soldiers who gave their lives. "Deguello" with its hollowing sound drops and lonesome bugle play will give a true Texan chills down their spine. Leading into Brian's original release "Goliad", which will become a staple for a man who can express pride in his Texas heritage better than most men can express their love for fine women.

Hoyt Axton would appreciate Brian's rendition of "Evangelina". It seems it took a sinus cold to convince Brian he should record this fine piece of work. Interesting how things come together...like good songs and great performers.

"El Llano Estacado", a great story written by Tom Russell, takes you along the journey through Texas in the early 1800's with a cowboy, crazy in love, dying in the desert driven by the love of a senorita. Brian also covers "Gallo Del Cielo", another Russell song. With his deep raspy voice, Brian takes you through the towns and the cockfights as if he had money riding on the matches. Fine Spanish guitar and accordion work bring the flavor of Mexico to the fore front and keeps your interest in the travels of Carmen Saragosa.

"The Crash at Crush", with its driving beat, fine electric and acoustical guitar work, brings Brian's fine work at producing a true train song to light.

"I've Been Everywhere", redone to fit this CD in a way only Brian conger. Geoff Mack would be proud to hear his rendition refit with a Texas flavor. How Brian can remember all those Texas towns amazes me.

Gary P. Nunn joins Brian on Gary's "Well of the Blues". It has the feel of a 1970's classic country sound with Gary and Brian harmonizing perfectly throughout this fine piece. A nice piano solo adds sparkle to a bluesy background.

Bill Staines' "Walker Behind the Wheel" is the next cut. Brian sings the cut like he has lived it time and time again, taking you to the honky tonk with the gentleman who is re-living his love of Texas and his dreams through the singer.

My personal favorite, "A Cowboy Prayer", is a well written piece of original work that expresses the hardships of being a cowboy and the realization of facing with the fact that he's worn out and doesn't want to be a cowboy anymore.

Now, taking nothing away from the great Larry Joe Taylor, I feel Brian's cover of Larry Joe's "Third Coast" is pure greatness. With his voice, along with the background music, strong rhythm and fine accordion lines, it brings this piece together to make an incredible cover of a fantastic song. The production work is top notch and lends an example of Brian's attention to detail. LJT should feel proud to have his work re-done with such superb workmanship.

Finally we come to the futuristic cowboy tune, "The Last Living Cowboy", transporting the listener to the future. Lyrics paint the lonely, haunting scenario that what we have now may come to an end with the third World War, and Texas, along with cowboying, will never be the same.

Don't forget the hidden track. Let's just say Mark David Manders' version raises eyebrows while Brian's style dictates a more respectable offering. Again, the production with its authentic effects, enhance the listeners enjoyment.

This album would be great if it were to be judged based solely on its merits for the singer's quality and songwriting content. However, what makes this CD stand out above and beyond others is the production. Brian produces each track on this CD with the highest attention to detail. Not only does he seem to enhance the listening pleasure with his love of music, but he manages to authenticate the feel, and the era in time these journeys take place. Well done, Amigo!

Mark Akins

The LandShark

Written by Mark Akins, November 2001

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