Heartache, Hangovers & Honky Tonks
Pleasant Valley, 2021
9/10
Listen to Heartache, Hangovers & Honky Tonks
An outfit spearheaded by the guitarist, singer and songwriter Jerry Zinn, West Of Texas embraces all the hallmarks of traditional country, honky tonk and outlaw sounds we admire, and subject matter like love, heartbreak, being down on your luck and working your dead end job are all explored as a small army of Southern California musicians lend a hand.
“My Whiskey Life” starts the listen with swift twang as Zinn’s smooth vocals suite the classic country landscape perfectly, while Jeremy Long’s piano acrobatics add much to the memorable opener, and “Foolin’” follows with Gary Brandson’s warm pedal steel and Erik Herrera’s guitar complementing the Nashville-esque delivery.
Closer to the middle, “Watcha Drinkin’” is a breezy, timeless drinking song that you could dance to or just drown your sorrows in, and, similarly, “Dead End Job Blues” recruits Rich McCulley on bass for the swift and punchy country rocker. There just isn’t a bad tune present, and “Cheatin’, Drinkin’, Hurtin’ Song”, one of the best, places a soulful quality into the playful setting that’s got some rhythm to the formula.
Deeper still, “You’re Still The One I Dream Of” finds itself in ballad territory, where Zinn’s vocals show much diversity amid Dale Daniel’s restrained drumming and Rob Long’s proficient bass, and “Sound Of My Heart” glows with Phil Glenn’s fiddle prowess and Mike Wolf’s guitar as both ruggedness and beauty surround the Bakersfield nods.
An album that had to jump many hurdles to come into fruition, health problems with Zinn and Covid both tried to stifle the release, but, thankfully, what began as a 3 song EP in 2010 is now 16 tracks of ‘60s and ‘70s influenced country music that rubs elbows with swing, Tex-Mex and Cajun sounds while shuffling in all the best ways.
Travels well with: Darlin’ Brando- Also, Too…; Ben Bostick- Among The Faceless Crowd