Scalawag
Self-Released, 2020
8/10
The recording moniker of Louisiana native Chris Watts, as Dirt Reynolds the guitarist, vocalist and songwriter brings all the hallmarks of this south on this blue collar friendly debut album.
“Lee County” starts the listen with warm acoustic strumming in the soaring country template that’s not short on hooks, and “Cenla” continues the setting with a more rugged spirit of rural melodies where Jason Paradise contributes on guitar.
Elsewhere, “The God’s Own Truth” illustrates Reynolds’ own brand of gospel where gritty country rock glides with a timeless appeal, while “Empty Beds, Empty Bottles” recruits a honky tonk approach that benefits greatly from CJ Colandrea’s pedal steel. “Fireworks Over Buhlow” then enters ballad territory with soothing, sublime beauty amid strategic keys from Mary Hull.
At the end, “I Know What It Means” was influenced by Louis Armstrong’s “Do You Know What It Means (To Miss New Orleans)”, and is just as timeless with plenty of soul, and “Homecoming Show” exits the listen with reflective Americana where Becky Warren’s backing vocals add much to the poetic landscape.
Watts has had quite an eventful life, having grown up in a Christian home before turning into a hooligan who was stabbed in a bar and then later shot while working in the National Guard during Katrina. His colorful past has been great fodder for his song craft, and given him a very mature and eloquent perspective that makes this outlaw/alt-country effort a very impressive starting point.
Travels well with: Mark Bumgarner- Just Above The Waterline; John Baumann- Country Shade