Singer/songwriter David Byboth has been
performing for quite sometime now, and has finally put the finishing
touches on his first CD. A pure D self proclaimed “folk” singer,
Byboth’s first CD is top notch, even for those of us not considering
ourselves “folkies”.
As both a review writer and house concert host, I am often privy to
those who send that first CD. I’ve gotten the whole spectrum of
quality and content, and never really know what to expect even when
expecting from an artist I’ve known for a while. I had a pretty
good idea that Byboth’s CD would be one of the better ones, but folks,
it’s one of the great ones. All the tunes are written by Byboth,
except for a great co-write with Jim Bush on “Swimming for the Surface”
and an excellent cover of Kevin Welch’s “Flycatcher Jack and the
Whippoorwill’s Song”.
“My Mind’s Eye” is not only one of the tracks, but is a highly
appropriate title for this disc. This CD is truly a glimpse into Byboth’s world through his mind, and he paints clear, intimate pictures
of his characters and emotions with his carefully chosen words. He
shows his clarity, strengths, seriousness, sense of humor and
vulnerabilities all in one neat, high quality package. This one
gets played over and over as I drive (where I listen to the majority of
music), and it has become a family favorite. I smiled just a few
days ago as I heard my 10 year old happily singing along to several of
the cuts.
The opening track is one of my favorites, one of those songs that
actually runs through my head sometimes and doesn’t aggravate me that
it’s doing so. “Dave and Louene (The King & Queen of Melrose
Drive)” tells of a special couple Byboth lived next door to years ago.
He gives such clear character sketches of them that I want them to be my
neighbors, I want to know them.
“On Saturdays when I was gone
He’d crank up the mower and mow my lawn
And trim my bushes, weed and edge and sweep
And I’m come home from working late
On my front porch I’d find a plate
Of Louene’s chicken fried steak, cornbread and beans
They’re seventy plus going on eighteen
The ball room dancing King & Queen
Of Melrose Drive, Dave and Loueen
I can close my eyes and see them there
Smiling face and silver hair
On Melrose drive, the beautiful Dave and Loueen”
Nosy as I am, I asked and found he did
actually perform the song for them, and framed the lyrics for them, and
they were completely thrilled. I wish they had been here to see
the final product and tell Byboth how proud they were of him yet again.
Somehow, I think they would have been THE guests to mingle with at all
the shows. And what I wouldn’t give to have tried that chicken
fried steak.
“Ought To Be Texas” ought to be the new song used to promote Texas
tourism. I already love Texas and live here, but if I didn’t, this
tune would sure make me think about getting here as quickly as I could.
This song was actually written in 1995, and 13 years later, it’s as
relevant as if it were written yesterday. I think this one will
always be very near and dear to my heart.
Other favorites of mine on the CD are “Before the Longest While”,
“Engineer Song”, and “New Year’s Day”, but I have to say if I had to
pick only one, “My Mind’s Eye” would be the top pick.
“Momma’s pullin’ a pie from the oven
I can smell it from where I’m at
It’s coolin’ in the window where the dogs can’t get it
Waitin’ to make me fat"
And that’s just the beginning.
Squirrels, Bill Monroe, a broken down hearse, a “Jesus Loves You”
sticker, and a familiar songwriter are all tied together in this
incredible song, with the chorus:
“I didn’t see it but I know that it
happened
As I was driving by
I closed my eyes and it was all there
In my mind’s eye”
Really fantastic stuff, this is a “must
have” to your CD collection.
Now maybe you’re under the incorrect impression that I like it because
my friend did it. Well, my friends know I’m pretty honest if they ask my
opinion on something. If they don’t want the truth, they better
not ask. It’s the same for review writing, friend or not.
Honestly, this will still be one of my top CD’s at the end of 2008, it’s
got staying power. I’m not the only one who apparently believed in
the project. Produced by Ray Wylie Hubbard and mastered by Gurf
Morlix, Byboth was also able to enlist the the talents of Rick Richards,
Eleanor Whitmore, Kelley Mickwee, Chip Woodburn, Billy Cassis, and
George Reiff to complete this wonderful disc.
Check this guy out at www.byboth.net or on
www.myspace.com/byboth
Lone Star Mama
Written by Dana Jones, March, 2008
