Honky Tonk Man
Country Rewind, 2022
8/10
An album entirely of recordings made exclusively for radio broadcast, though you may be familiar with some of these titles from the late Bob Luman, here they’re versions that were never commercially available until now.
“Still Loving You” gets the album off to a twinkling start, where Luman’s deep pipes guide the romantic opener, and the title track follows with an upbeat energy of indeed honky tonk sounds that will get your body shuffling to the dusty flavor.
Further into the listen, the head bobbin’ and toe tappin’ “Gettin’ Back To Norma” displays spirited guitar work, while “It’s All Over (But The Shouting)” trims the pace back with agile drumming alongside Luman’s smooth singing. “A Woman Without Love”, another excellent track, then showcases graceful piano and sublime singing in the ballad setting.
Close to the end, the lively and rugged “I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine” gallops with a country spirit, and “Today I Started Loving You Again” exits the listen with a breezy and rich delivery of aching pedal steel, soft drumming and Luman’s unmistakable and inimitable vocals.
Sadly, Luman died at just 41 years old in 1978. He sure did put out a lot of great music in his short life, and this release certainly documents that and even allows his daugther Melissa to provide her singing, which only adds more appeal to his rockabilly, country, doo-wop and western swing formula.
Travels well with: Tex Ritter- The Songs Of The West; Rex Allen- America’s Last Singing Cowboy