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Vintage by Casey Berry has a long slow fuse; the flame smolders, stutters a bit, almost goes out and then BANG - and you realise: this album is DYNAMITE!
There's raw power here, real rough-edged Country music. It's tinged with rock in places, almost acoustic in others; it SOUND loose, but it's not loose at all.
It takes real skill to play as tight as these guys do and yet to make the music sound loose and relaxed.
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So how come it smolders before the blast hits you. I don't know, it just does. It didn't hit me until the second listen through.
First time round, I thought, nice album, a little rough round the edges.
"I Know A Liar" - the first single off the album is doing really well in the Texas charts and so it should. But I reckon it's one of the three weakest tracks on the album. (Weak, here is a VERY relative term).
The acoustic opening to "Baby When You're Blue" is so brief, you could just miss it, but it sets the tone for the entire track. Written by Berry and producer Matt Martindale, this has a strong backbeat and some extraordinary harmonies from Stephanie Ard. My notepad says "strong chart song". (I'm right!!)
Now, and important thought strikes me, and I should make something clear: Casey, Bryan, Frank and Brandon play brilliantly throughout the album.
But what I noticed most on "Lose, Lose Scenario" was the amazing organ played by session man John Michael Whitby. You have to really listen for it because Matt Martindale has pushed it so far back into the mix.
But I betcha Matt was determined to have it on the track and he was right. It makes the song, gives it the continuity, the depth. Superb production, brilliant mixing. Nice job, sir!
That long fuse is spitting now, coming to life a bit more. "Sister So Long" is upbeat Country music with a funky edge. The lead guitar hook is brilliant, and Brandon Parlow's drums force the pace throughout. BRILLIANT!
Now I can hear the first shock waves of that explosion rumbling. "Remember Mobile" could become a Country classic. Berry's vocals waver across the melody, missing every now and again. The backing chugs along and the chorus is one of the most memorable 1970's rock anthem-style hooks I've heard since - well, since the 1970's.
That 70's feel continues on "Before the Sunrise" which has every chance of topping the Texas charts before years end. Written by Berry, this is brilliant classic Country music with exceptional lyrics. The pedal steel is way over the top, and it works!
KERBOOM!! The album explodes and the band shows what it's truly capable of. The intro on "Something About You" is almost too loose and then BANG, everything tightens up around wonderful lilting rhythm. The lead guitar hook is immense and I suspect the player - Bryan Lee Wilson - is a closet Eagles fan. The sound he gets on the instrumental is Eagles through and through.
The harp adds atmosphere, Berry's lyrics stand the closest examination, the melody of the chorus is way too catchy for ANYONE's good, and this could smash into the national charts.
"Nothing To Do With Love" - I have to say, has a blank space next to it on my pad. It is just another song.
"Cocaine Jane" on the other hand has "WOW, vocals" scribbled large. Berry has an amazing voice. He's win no operatic contest but (and forgive me for being presumptuous) I don't suppose he wants to.
No true Country album would be complete without it's Greyhound bus song and sure enough, there's one here. "Chasing the Wind" It's very ordinary and I've written "only TWO weak songs" while "Outlaws Last Stand" is a cowboy song.
There is one final aftershock. "Round and Round" is a wonderful closer for the album. Berry shows a deeper side here and it's the strongest song on the album lyrically.
And as the final chord fades, as the blast I felt dissipates, I realise I have a warm feeling inside.
These guys have just restored my faith in the Music business. I know, now, that there are guys out there who'll go on playing REAL Country music. In Texas, in Bakersfield, and - we have to hope - in some darkened bars in Nashville, real Country music lives.
Casey Berry and The Live Texas Mosquitoes are proof!
My View: Go BUY the album RIGHT NOW!
What do YOU think?? Tell us here!
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