Album Review – Randy Rogers & Wade Bowen "Concord My Beer Vol. 2"

Reviews

If Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen are the Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean of Texas country as some purists beloved to accuse, and so when they join forces, they go similar the Cistron Watson and Mark Chesnutt—pregnant as hard thumping state as you tin find.

The two long-fourth dimension music buddies caught united states of america off guard and flat footed the first fourth dimension in 2015 when they launched their original book under the "Concord My Beer" pseudonym, surprising u.s. with the level of land-ness, the quality of the songs, and the bits of one-act. Started as a simple annual acoustic tour in Texas, now we know this side project isn't only a spitball, it's Randy and Wade's enthusiastic and impassioned opportunity to dive head first into the influences of archetype land and offer their ain contributions towards those time-honored traditions.

Where their first effort was a lilliputian more offbeat and irregular, but in a absurd sort of way, after seeing the positive reception information technology garnered, Randy and Wade took this second get 'round a bit more seriously, working to write and find ameliorate songs, and tighten up the production. This results in probably a ameliorate produced project by the numbers, even if this ways it loses some of its coolness. Simply it notwithstanding results in classic land goodness from ii of import names.

Hold My Beer Vol. 2 is like a dear letter to classic land from a Texas perspective. In many respects, it'south a land music album about country music. "Rhinestoned" is a song well-nigh being brought up on classic state. "Let Merle Be Merle" subtly lashes out at the incursion of rock influences in country. "Speak To Me Jukebox" lists off a litany of old archetype country songs, and "This Ain't My Boondocks" is well-nigh how the ever-irresolute world is constantly robbing united states of what was precious about the past, country music included.

Along the way though, Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen don't forget to have some fun. Later on all, that's the underlying reason for this project. The hilariously-written "Rodeo Clown" is a courage of the record, simply like "Standards" was for the first volume. "AM/FM" and "Hold My Beer" bookmark the project with fun-loving moments.

If in that location is a tertiary and fourth silent partner in the Agree My Beer franchise, information technology's writers Jon Randall and Jim Beavers, who do a big corporeality of the co-writing with Randy and Wade on the record, while a pretty impressive all-star listing of contributors also make their mode into the credits, including Dean Dillon, Lori McKenna, Josh Abbott, Chris DuBois, and Buddy Cannon to name some (run across writing credits).

I of the centerpieces of the project is "Ode To Ben Dorcy (Lovey's Song)" almost the 'Rex of the Roadies'. The song was written originally by Waylon Jennings, who just like Willie Nelson and many others, enjoyed the services of Dorcy over the years. Ben became a big assist to Randy Rogers and others in the newer generation of Texas artists as well. Not but is information technology cool to hear the mighty Waylon sing a few bars (however cursory), the song actually helps yous connect the dots of the Texas music lineage.

Not to compare Randy and Wade to Willie and Waylon, but these two really are doing what they tin to make and maintain Texas every bit a viable and growing market place and enclave for music performers then they don't have to exam their luck with Nashville. Randy and Wade are significantly responsible for Texas emerging as a healthier culling with its own radio networks, touring circuits, and legions of fans.

Only despite their best efforts at fielding songs for this project, Hold My Beer Vol. ii has some holes in that respect. "Mi Amigo" with Asleep at the Bicycle is a super absurd collaboration, just the writing is pretty simple, and your typical gringo vocal trying to find some culture. A few tweaks, and the otherwise strongly traditional "AM/FM"could be a Bro-Country song, even if the extended instrumentation on the tail end saves it here. And "Warm Beer" was a better idea when Tom Waits did it back in the early seventy's. The album lacks that one deep vocal to really tie it together.

But there are still a host of really expert songs on Hold My Beer Vol. two, and all the studio renditions, instrumentation, and product on the record is superb throughout, and spot-on with trying to keep things country with a renewed vigor, which is what this projection is all about. Overall, the tape is just a good time.

Some may bewail why these ii don't bring more of these pure country influences to their respective solo projects. Just at present with a second stiff country tape under their belt together, Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen have left their mark on the legacy of what keen land music from Texas is all nigh, while helping to preserve traditions and pay them forward to a new generation.

1 1/2 Guns Upward (seven.v/x)

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Ben Dorcy, Buddy Cannon, Chris DuBois, Dean Dillon, Hold My Beer, Hold My Beer Vol. two, Jim Beavers, Jon Randall, Josh Abbott, Lori McKenna, Randy Rogers, Review, Wade Bowen, Waylon Jennings