Outstanding!
Redgecko | USA | 05/26/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"When I first listened to sound samples of this on Dana Lyon's website, when it was released late last year, I decided that I liked only one song, "Crazy Cowboy". The others didn't seem to have the powerful music and lyric as did the songs on my favorite CD of his, "Cows With Guns". So, I decided to wait until the .MP3 for Crazy Cowboy was available, making it the first Dana Lyons CD that I wouldn't buy. Eventually, I was able to listen to the entire CD on the web, and boy, was I wrong about the recording! There are lots of outstanding songs on the CD. It's somewhat of a return to the folk roots and environmental message that made CWG so good. Here, however, the music is much more complex with strings, brass and other instruments tastefully embellishing the omnipresent guitar. My favorites are Crazy Cowboy, Big Rolling Country and The Blue and Green because the enviormental message and powerful music go especially well together. In fact, Crazy Cowboy and Big Rolling Country are among my 5 favorite songs that Lyons ever wrote, which is saying a lot. Sweet New Orleans has great lyrics and a creative New Orleans style jazzy ending. I wish that he had put in something about the animals that suffered so terribly in the Katrina disaster. They were largely forgotten by the authorities and I wish Lyons hadn't forgotten them in his song. Three Legged Coyote, Patagonia Dam Song and In My Tiny Room are also good and are growing on me. I don't care as much for the others, which are humorous in nature, hence the star deduction. Okay songs, just not what I look for in Lyons' music. Cows With Guns never strayed from the message, it was great music with animal advocacy and environmental messages in every lyric. This CD is a bit more eclectic and will appeal to many. Visit Lyons' cool website to see his concert schedule and buy silly stuff.
Recommended for those with a head and a heart.
"