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CD review: Shinyribs- ‘?????’
Here I am, all ready to write about my favorite new album- local or national - and I realize that I don’t know the title, so I go on the artist’s web site, but can’t find that info anywhere. I’m listening to the record on iTunes, as the actual physical copy is out in the car, and it’s hard to tear myself away . Would it have killed Kevin “Shinyribs” Russell: to put the title of his new musical baby on his web site? As soon as “Shores of Galilee,” with those soulfully untethered background vocals by Sally Allen, is over I’ll head on out to the car. The first four songs of this album are almost perfect. The next five are pretty terrific, too.
If I have a problem (other than the lack of a memorable title) with this record from the Gourds co-frontman and his tasteful side band, it’s the LP-closing “Change Is Gonna Come,” which is a showcase of Russell’s vocal high range on a song that’s been covered to death in recent years. Very un-Gourds-like. Shinyribs is obviously going for a Bruddah Iz feel, but “Over the Rainbow” is isn’t.
Shinyribs
“Well After Awhile”
Nine Mile Records
Grade: A
I’m back, just in time for “East TX Rust,” which sounds like what might happen if Jerry Reed (as channeled by Ray Wylie Hubbard) invited Stevie Wonder to stop by the studio with his clavinet.
It’s obvious to call this a Gourds album without co-frontman Jimmy Smith, but there’s a completely different mindset at work here. “Well After Awhile” can more accurately be described as a record where Russell puts his vocal prowess on full display without all those reeling fiddles and vamping mandolins. Produced by George Reiff, it’s an album full of the splendidly crooning songs like “Promenade” from 2006 that take Gourds albums up a notch. But sequenced together these full-voiced ballads and sway numbers have a new energy, as evidenced by “Poor People’s Store,” which brings a doowop observational vibe in the aisles of Dollar General.
Opening track “Who Built the Moon” is so simply gorgeous that the Devo-ish lyrics almost make sense. “Country Cool,” meanwhile, is this record’s “Tex Mex Mile,” a celebration of that which is organic and local. The pot calling the kettle real.
“May you carry soul by the truckload,” Russell sings on the “Fisherman’s Friend” prayer-song and along the way he airs out a voice that comes deep from within. This is a singer’s album, a songwriter’s album. Gourds fans will dig it, but so will those who think “holler” has only one meaning, a raised voice. “Well After Awhile” is brimming with talent and who doesn’t like that?
Shinyribs play a CD release show Thursday at Saxon Pub.
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By d3gourds
June 2, 2010 12:25 PM | Link to this
mc,
just curious…what cover would you have rather heard at the end of well after awhile…anything come to mind?
d3 http://thegourdsnews.blogspot.com/
By Saunders
June 4, 2010 2:46 AM | Link to this
I actually thought the cover of “Change is Gonna Come” was a very appropriate ending for the album… If you compare the lyrics of “Who Built The Moon” and “Change Is Gonna Come” I think you will “see” that the two songs make for excellent book-ends to the message of the album as a whole. The only cover song that may have fit better as a closer would have been “People Get Ready” by Curtis Mayfield.
The entire album is a real countrified-funk gem. After listening to it several times through, I like it more and more. The songs really grab you, musically and also by way of lyrical messages. I love the way Kevin weaves spiritual symbolism and innuendo into the seemingly mundane imagery he paints in your mind. Such as the above mentioned, “Fisherman’s Friend” where the fisherman is carrying sole/soul by the truckload. Another favorite is the line from “(if you need the) 442” … “there’s a fine line between a preacher and a teacher” or “Sunglasses on a blackbird, Barbecue is the new word” from “East TX Rust.”
I’d recommend everyone out there who loves music to go grab your copy of this CD ASAP. You will not regret it.
By Dennis
September 25, 2010 12:28 PM | Link to this
Does anyone know who the female vocalist is, on the track “Shores of Galilee”? At first, I thought maybe it was Deborah Kelly, from the Damnations…but the more I listen, I don’t think it is her…but the voice is very familiar. No credit on the album, the only females listed are Sally Allen and Phoebe Hunt. I am guessing it is Phoebe Hunt, from the Bellville Outfit. I would love to know what happened to the Damnations…they had an album recorded that never came out…they haven’t played live in a few years, to my knowledge…anyone?
Either way, this album is excellent. Russell is all heart and soul, something you can rarely go wrong with. I have always loved his vocals, but they really stand out on “Well After Awhile”, and make you appreciate what a great songwriter he is. I think this is my favorite album of 2010, so far!