ARTiST: The Resentments
ALBUM: Roselight
BiTRATE: 165kbps avg
QUALiTY: EAC Secure Mode / LAME 3.97 Final / -V2 --vbr-new / 44.100Khz
LABEL: Blue Rose Records
GENRE: Rock
SiZE: 68.04 megs
PLAYTiME: 0h 54min 26sec total
RiP DATE: 2008-12-23
STORE DATE: 2009-01-30
Track List:
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01. What Love Can Do 3:17
02. Look Up 4:59
03. Wanderin' Boy 5:16
04. Roselight 5:17
05. Wish The Wind 4:32
06. Riverside 3:39
07. Struttin' Yer Stuff 3:53
08. Holdin' On To Nothin' 5:38
09. Where Did The Time Go? 3:39
10. Nice To Meet You 3:07
11. Build Your Own Prison 3:57
12. Getting's Good 4:09
13. Home Again 3:03
Release Notes:
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One thing hasn't changed over all these years: The legendary RESENTMENTS, who
are critically acclaimed across the border of Texas and especially on this side
of the Atlantic, still play regularly Sunday after Sunday in the famous Saxon
Pub in Austin's south, where they rightfully gained the title of "the best bar
band in the world". In the meantime however they have proved with a couple of
great releases that they do not hand in their enormous musical potential, the
joy of playing together and their individual charisma at the studio door, but
put it into remarkable productions that belong to the best in what handmade,
conservative and earthy Texamericana/Roots Rock music nowadays has to offer!
However one thing has changed: Jon Dee Graham is no longer in the band! Of all
things Graham who surely for many fans has been the pinch of salt in the
Resentments soup, with his shimmering solo career and his cool easy going and
endlessly entertaining stage presence. Can it work without him at all? After the
sheer listening delight of the 13 songs from the brandnew album Roselight there
is only one truth: Yes! As a matter of fact the "other" Resentments, who are not
suspect of being second best, have accomplished not only to compensate the
departure of their most famous protagonist but also to produce their most band
oriented, most atmospheric and considering the song quality best album to date!
They mastered the challenge to fill the gap Jon Dee Graham left with bravery and
verve. Theyà that means Stephen Bruton (guitarist, session musician and soloman
extraordinaire, for example as Kris Kristofferson sidekick since 1970), Scrappy
Jud Newcomb (ex-Loose Diamonds frontman, clever session guitar player, who has
just released his 3rd solo album Ride The High County), Bruce Hughes (ex- Poi
Dog Pondering/Ugly Americans/Bob Schneider bass player/guitarist) and drummer
John Chipman who in March 2008 at the start of SXSW was awarded the title of
"Drummer of the Year" by Austin Chronicle and simultaneously plays in The Band
Of Heathens. In the context of this band they can live out their collective love
for Rock, Country and Blues together and let their songs, voices and instruments
(guitars, guitars, strings, stringsà) speak for themselves. For this they
trespass all existing Americana borders, the definitions of Country, Roots,
Rock'n'Roll, Singer/Songwriter, Acoustic Rock, Roadhouse Blues and Border Music
are thoroughly mixed up!
"What Love Can Do" is the title of the opener and we already experience the
Resentments in full bloom: a vivid uptempo/Roots track with Louisiana Flair by
Stephen Bruton (and Al Anderson/Ex-NRBQ), with a broad spectre of acoustic
guitars, mandolins and a stand out accordion from guest Joel Guzman (Joe Ely,
Tom Russell, Flatlanders). "Look Up" - not to be mixed up with the Jon Dee
Graham song that carries the same name - is one of three contributions from bass
player Bruce Hughes who by now has definitely lost his assumed outsider role
within the band. Scrappy Jud Newcomb's raspy voice can be heard for the first
time on the selected Carter Family adaption "Wanderin' Boy"; in addition lots of
mandolin, baritone guitar, an earthy rhythm section and Texas blues guy Johnny
Nicholas on harmonica. Downright outstanding follows the title track that has
been composed by Bruton and Alejandro Escovedo: first class vocals, luscious
drums & percussions, subtly arranged acoustic guitars and again Joel Guzman on
knobs and keys - more francophile than tex-mex. On the Funk/Groove/Bass
accentuated "Wish The Wind" by Bruce Hughes the Resentments who are otherwise
commited to acoustic roots rock generate a rare electric lead solo, just before
Jud Newcomb starts to intone his first song contribution "Riverside" - simply
wonderfully sounding guitars in front of a discreetly sophisticated backbeat.
"Struttin' My Stuff" is classic Muscle Shoals stuff, written by Donnie Fritts
and late Eddie Hinton; Fritts who has turned famous as Kris Kristofferson's
sideman has a guest appearance on the Wurlitzer piano and drummer John Chipman
gives it one's all during his only appearance as lead vocalist! "Holdin' On To
Nothin'" is yet another Bruton contribution, on which he leaves such a lasting
impression with guitar and vocals that all his recent health problems
(hopefully) seem to be overcome! The dedicated performance of the Call &
Response singing of Storyville shouter Malford Milligan fits just perfectly to
this track. Newcomb's "Where Did Our Time Go" might be familiar to some through
his latest Solo CD, "Nice To Meet You" is another electric rocker by Hughes,
after which we come to the best ballad of the entire album: "Build Your Own
Prison" by Billy Bob Thornton's Boxmasters. "Getting' Good" is another one of
Bruton's co-productions with the renowned Nashville songwriter Gary Nicholson.
"Home Again" written by the talented Country/Folkie Jeff Plankenhorn, in a
relaxed and nicely matured Texas Folk Rock version turns out to be a perfect
finale of a really strong record!
Yes, it has really been a long way from the Sunday Night Band in the Saxon Pub
as Austins best kept secret to one of the most renowned Roots Combos of the
entire Americana scene. With Roselight the Resentments document this development
in an impressive way.