Hayes Carll "KMAG YOYO (and other American stories)" Humphead

 

Here's an artist who comfortably spans roots music in an entertaining, evocative and emotional way. He's can be emotive in the steel guitar backed country tinged low key Chances Are or he can hit you guns blazing on the appropriately titled opener Stomp And Holler. The rest of the album moves between those two points. Often with humour and the observation of human traits. The production by Brad Jones is sharp and serves the songs in a way that gives them variety and depth. The title song a co-write has some off- the-wall guitar from co-writer Scott Davis. One of a talent crew who bring the musical talent to the album. Another Like You is a duet in John Prine/Todd Snider mode with Cary Ann Hearst where each party details their love/hate instant attraction. Bye Bye Baby goes back to a subtle steel, banjo setting. Hayes Carll lived in vocal is full of nuances that make these songs crackle with life. Grateful For Christmas is a song in line with Robert Earl Keen's Merry Christmas From The Family, equally right on in terms of what that festive season really means. Even if it sounds a little odd out of season but then good song-writing never goes out of style and Carll's is one of the best of the current crop writing in the Texas tradition of such renowned greats as Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt. All the component parts of this album add up to what may well be Carll's best album to date and one that will easily find itself on repeated play.