Almost Time
Blackbird, 2023
9/10
The guitarist and singer-songwriter John Surge brings along Randy Volin’s guitars and harmony vocals, plus the Texas Players, for these 10 country influenced rockers.
“You’re So Right” begins the listen with Tommy Detamore’s flowing pedal steel and Brennen Leigh’s harmony vocals complementing Surge’s warm voice and acoustic guitar for the country climate, and “Rattle Me” follows with Tom Lewis’ thumping drums and Brad Fordhan’s playful bass adding much to the roadhouse delivery.
“Lesson I Never Learned” occupies the middle spot and brings both grit and melody to the more firm country rock that benefits from Floyd Domino’s strategic piano, while “Almost Time” spotlights Volin’s rugged electric and baritone guitars for the thicker presence.
“All You Gotta Do” and “Sister Honeybee” exit the listen, where the former is a dance floor ready and bouncy album highlight, and the latter exits with haze of stirring intimacy that’s poetic amid Jess Meador’s glowing fiddle and Leigh’s gorgeous backing vocals.
Surge and company cover a lot of ground here, where similarities to Waylon Jennings or Lucinda Williams won’t be hard to spot, and the honky tonk bouts, folk spirit and Texas sensibilities make each tune present equally great.
Travels well with: Ryan Traster- Low Mirada; Christopher Lockett- At The Station