Tejas Motel
Gulf Coast, 2023
8/10
The Texas blues rockers Ole Lonesome bring an impressive 10 songs to this first album on the Gulf Coast label, where Zachary Feemster, J. Wesley Hardin, Gregory Mosley, Jimmy Devers and Greg Achord are in fine form.
“Yvette” opens the listen with Feemster’s soaring vocals amid Devers’ playful drums and the spirited guitars, and “Gold Chevy” follows with a booming presence that uses grooves and rhythm in between the dense rock.
Halfway through, “Easy Street” brings plenty of grit and melody thanks to Hardin’s well timed bass and Achord’s swirling guitar, while “Lo Key” recruits Mike Zito for the great balance of calm versus firm gestures, where Feemster’s expressive voice is front and center.
Close to the end, “Natural Fact” benefits much from the dynamic rhythm section for the textured album highlight, and “Tejas Motel” exits with a breezy approach of bright blues ideas that uses Mosley’s keys superbly.
An outstanding performance of timeless and fluid blues, Ole Lonesome certainly fit in well with the exceptional roster that is Gulf Coast Records.
Travels well with: Popa Chubby And The Beast Band- Live At G. Bluey’s Juke Joint NYC; Albert Castiglia- I Got Love