An Evening With Ray Wylie Hubbard

An Evening With

Ray Wylie Hubbard

by Lone Star Mama

I’m sure a lot of folks would think my title doesn’t quite mesh. The term “An Evening” lends toward music with depth, tranquility, and intimacy. The name “Ray Wylie Hubbard” conjures images of “Redneck Mother” and rockin’ on the stage in a unique style that makes the audience member almost exhausted from the excitement and energy! Thanks to David Byboth and Lois Brown of Texas Nights House Concerts North, the title of this review was just that...an evening with Ray Wylie Hubbard. These good folks open their beautiful home to friends who are music lovers several times per year. No chatty folks talking over the music, no obnoxious drunks, no people trying to fight. All are there to soak in the music, and boy, do they.

There were probably 60-70 people of all ages in attendance. Guests are encouraged to bring both their own drinks and munchies to share. This evening’s fare of food was diverse and incredible as usual. Various meats, cheeses, crackers, sandwiches, chips, dips, chocolate dipped strawberries, and cookies are just some of the wonderful treats that were brought! While I “people watched”, I saw beverages ranging from soft drinks to Lone Star Beer (and those other beers, too :) to fine wines to mixed drinks and shots. All acted like adults, which makes an evening of music just that much better. The kitchen/dining/living areas were all filled with candles, giving the perfect ambiance for what we knew would be a perfect evening.

There was no opening act tonight. A short announcement and introduction from out host David, and the music began.

I’ve heard folks say (and Ray did this night as well) that he always plays a lot of the same songs and tells many of the same stories. And I guess to some extent that is true. But, listening to the hearty laughter, and laughing myself, makes me realize that those stories make you feel good even if you’ve heard them before. I overheard another wonderful singer/songwriter say during the break, “I’ve heard Ray’s stories so many times, and yet they always make me smile. That’s amazing.” And she is right.

While I watched the faces of those listening as he sang some of their favorites (as if he were singing what they felt in their hearts), it was as if I was hearing many of the songs for the first time myself. I had only seen him a couple of times before in music festival type settings, only short sets with full band. Don’t get me wrong, I was blown away then, too. But having a passionate preference for the singer/songwriter and his guitar over a full band, this was heaven. I knew I’d be in musical bliss, but it was more than I imagined. There’s something about stripping away all the enhancing extras. It gives you less to take in outwardly, and allows you more focus on the inside of the music. The simplified form of performance lets you experience the tiniest of details in song. Tonight, it did just that.

Ray’s intimate performance truly allowed me to experience his music in a way I hadn’t with him before. I felt as if I were just hanging out with a close friend who was revealing his personal thoughts and imagination to me in confidence. The fact that he was doing so with 60 or so other close friends didn’t register. He spoke to me, he spoke to my heart. His songs of “spiritual nature” seemed to grasp me more strongly as to the struggles that must be deep within himself, and in turn, myself. I’ve heard the songs on our CD’s, on the radio, at shows, yet they grabbed me differently this time. I literally felt like each song he did was as though it was the first time I had heard it.

Yes, he did “Redneck Mother”, and managed to change it up a bit so it wasn’t like “just singin’ with the record”. At the time I thought, “you know, I love this song, but really didn’t need to hear it tonight”, but then it dawned on me...maybe I did. I think it helped me truly realize the full scope of what this man can do. From a fun, sing-a-long, to a mournful ballad, to sure ‘nuff Rock and Roll, to the bluesiest of blues……..and still to pull it off with only his guitar and occasional harmonica. What an artist. And I think this opportunity allowed me to fully realize what a talented guitar player he is, not just with notes, but giving those notes expression as if each note was a word in itself.

He did have accompaniment for one song. He invited host David Byboth up to play mandolin with him, much to the delight of the crowd. I imagined what an honor it must be to share in the music of the man who is Ray Wylie Hubbard, and David’s beautiful sounds on the mandolin indeed enhanced the song. I hope to be fortunate enough to more than just accompaniment from David in the near future.

We were disappointed Ray’s new CD “Growl” wasn’t ready yet. He had hoped it would be so we could purchase it here. However, we were treated to some of the new tunes from it, and I must tell you he does not disappoint! I had heard “Name Dropping” on the radio already, and was so glad he sang it for us. Several of the names he dropped my not be familiar to many, but to those who know their music know they are great names. Folks like Jon Dee Graham, Mary Gauthier, and Darcy Deville, all of whom join him on the new CD. Perhaps knowing he loves and understands them made me feel just a little more bonded with him.

The other songs Ray shared from this new CD made me wonder if I could wait until April 1 for it. Some artists have a great CD, then subsequent ones are just “okay”. Ray seems to continually set the bar higher, as if each CD must be better than the next. From the cuts I have heard so far, Texas music just got a little better. Hearing the music in his “bare bones”, unique acoustic style as I did, leaves me no doubt this man is, and always will be, a legend.

Now maybe you’re disappointed I don’t have a set list, or didn’t detail the songs more. Do you remember the last time you hung out with your good friends for about three hours? Folks you know well, and one of them had a lot to say. Part of it was about things you knew before but with a little more detail, coloring in some of the gaps you previously didn’t realize were there. Other parts were new, hearing something for the first time and realizing the full scope of how it must affect the person telling the story, realizing how it all fits into who they really are. Well, if you can remember exactly what was said, and each topic covered, then I commend you. But for me, I was so entranced in what was being said I didn’t think to write down titles for later. What I can tell you is my head, heart and soul were very busy reveling in the moments. It was an experience that I’ll always treasure and never forget.

Put very simply, Ray Wylie Hubbard is a master storyteller, and one of the best at that. I could give no higher praise to an artist, and there are only a select few to whom I would give that title.

Written by Dana Jones, March 2003

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If you are interested in learning more about house concerts, contact David & Lois at dbyboth@mindspring.com or visit their web site at http://www.mindspring.com/~dbyboth/TNHCN . They are more than happy to explain how it all works! They also have some wonderful upcoming shows, and we hope to see you there!

Ray Wylie & Lone Star Mama

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