Deano & Jo
Plenty Tuff, 2023
9/10
Deano, i.e. Dean Schlabowske of Chicago’s esteemed Waco Brothers, and Jo Walston of Austin’s Meat Purveyors come together for this debut release of swampy songs that surround lost love, cheating, drinking, and death.
“One More Day” wastes no time making an impression with Beth Chrisman’s warm fiddle complementing Deano and Jo’s heartfelt harmonies in the twang friendly opener, and “Come On Down” follows with Mark Rubin’s playful double bass alongside Jo’s pretty pipes and Deano’s deeper voice.
Further along, “Tennessee Border” has Chas Justus on lead guitar for the frisky country rock that’s retro in all the best ways, while “Flame In My Heart” makes great use of Chris Stafford’s glowing pedal steel as the pair’s vocals soar with a gorgeous intimacy.
“Down, Down, Down” lands near the end and showcases cozy fiddle acrobatics and well timed pedal steel that suits Jo and Deano’s expressive singing, and “Never Going Back” exits with a timeless rural flavor that’s rootsy and Americana spirited.
An extremely well done body of work that embraces honky tonk, ballads and the sounds of AM country, Deano and Jo bring a wealth of talent and experience a very distinct version of alt-country.
Travels well with: Buddy & Judy Miller- Breakdown On 20th Ave. South; Buck Owens And The Buckaroos- Bakersfield Gold