A couple of years ago,
Big & Rich blasted onto the charts of country music with “Save a Horse,
Ride a Cowboy” in a whirlwind of controversy. Nashville people
didn’t like their music, alternative country people didn’t like their
music, but somehow, a whole lotta people liked their music. As a
strong proponent of singer/songwriters and Texas/Americana music,
somehow I fell into the last category...I liked it. Country music
without prejudice…it’s about damn time something fun and quality hit
those country stations. Hey, these guys are even writing their own
stuff!
Oh sure, I’ve heard “Well, it don’t sound country to me!”...yeah, well,
look around. The stuff coming out of Nashville and out of the
Texas/Americana/Roots movements won’t necessarily sound it either, but
almost everyone you love to listen to will have a tune somewhere along
the lines of the same beats this band does on its CDs. All you
gotta do is open the mind, and give it a chance.
On the heels of that first highly successful CD “Horse of a Different
Color” comes their latest release “Comin’ To Your City”. This one is a
“must listen to start to finish over and over” CD. But be
prepared, there’s a whole lot of fun to be had. If you’re in the
“gloom and doom” or “folky, cum by yah” mindset, not the time to put
this one in.
Any CD that starts with the words “Somebody’s got to be unafraid to
lead the freak parade” is giving fair warning to the listener that
they are in for fun! Anyone following the band and it’s cohorts in the
“Muzic Mafia” knows they have a wild band of fellow artists/friends who
come along with them in their successes. Call it corny, but when I
sit and take a look around at the “mafia” I run with … well, we all have
our little parades, don’t we? Somehow they're being proud of their
friendships with all walks leads me to find some kinship.
The second song is the title track from the CD. There’s already a
wildly fun video making the rounds on CMT and GAC. And just as
“Save a Horse” was probably the first country tune to mention “Bling
Blingin’”, this one is probably the first to say “If you want a
little bang in your yin yang”. It’s a jumpin’ tune about
traveling from city to city, with the fun and experiences along the way,
and essentially inviting the listener to hop onto the next leg of the
journey. I’m making my official RSVP right now.
Several of these kinds of more upbeat and fun tales are scattered
throughout the CD. But there are some more serious moments as well.
Having been riding around in the car playing the CD with songs of
everything from “Soul Shakin’” and “I Pray for You”, to “Jalepeno” and
“20 Margaritas” (yikes, have these guys been to my place?) I could
hardly sit still. Now craving chips and salsa, a cooler of beer or
a pitcher of ‘gritas, and pasture for a “par-tay,” I suddenly heard a
voice. Was it God?
No. It was Kris Kristofferson speaking to me.
He gives the introduction to the song “8th of November”. It’s a
sobering and beautiful song about a Vietnam Vet. It’s an extremely
fitting tribute, very, very, moving. It just highlights my belief
in the talent these men have in their extremely diverse songwriting.
So telling me this band is all pop and has no substance, well, let’s
just say it’ll fall on deaf ears. I have officially “outed” myself
as a true fan. I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.
And, just about the time this CD was released, another new video started
playing on both CMT and GAC. Big & Rich join Billy Joe Shaver for
a video (directed by Rick Schroeder) and some harmony on the song “Live
Forever” from Billy’s new CD “Real Deal”. Big Kenny has
apparently been a fan for a long time, and the guys decided to encourage
him to go for it. As a long time Shaver fan myself, I’m extremely
grateful that these guys have helped bring some new fans to a well
deserving artist. It probably doesn’t hurt that this is my very
favorite Shaver tune, either. The unique sound of Big & Rich’s
harmony adds a beautiful depth to the tune. As for the
controversial “outro”, I won’t spoil that either, catch the tune and
decide for yourself.
So, open your minds and your ears and enjoy something different that you
may normally listen to. After all, we could all use “a little bang
in your yin yang” or a little “zing in your zang zang” or even a little
“ching in your chang chang”...come along!!!
Lone Star Mama
Written by Dana Jones, December, 2005
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