Search - Ray Wylie Hubbard :: Live at Cibolo Creek Country Club

Rowdy tunes and dark power ballads

Smallchief | 05/29/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the reasons to buy this CD is to hear the only readily available recording of Ray Wylie Hubbard singing his 1970s anthem, "Redneck Mother." It's the last tune on the CD, called "Obligatory Encore." Ray's apologetic about the song -- but he admits to enjoying the royalty checks.



Another reason to buy this live recording is to get some impression of Ray Wylie Hubbard, the man. He's a humorous, self-deprecating, down home Texan, although I'd hold on closely to my wallet while talking to him and I wouldn't try to impress him by quoting Rilke or other philosophers. He might know more about the subject than I do.



You might get tired of "Redneck Mother" after a few replays but what Ray calls with tongue in cheek the "dark power ballads" on this CD are outstanding. There are six of them of which my favorite is probably "There are Some Days" with its strong vocal and gorgeous mandolin and steel guitar backing by Stephen Bruton and Lloyd Maines. Just about as good is "Ballad of the Crimson Kings" with Lisa Mednick's voice moderating Hubbard's low growl. Lloyd Maines' dobro on "Last Younger Son" put it in the must-hear category. Ray's own folksy, acoustic guitar playing is strong throughout.



Hubbard is one hell of a good songwriter, guitarist, and singer -- although he probably reduces his claim for consideration as a serious musician with his excursions into rowdydom and humor with "Redneck Mother" and, more recently, "Screw You, We're from Texas." I can't think of anyone who'd be more fun to see and hear and, if you're into existential philosophy, you could probably write a dissertation about the religious images in his tunes.



Smallchief



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