Herald Democrat reviews Country Jam
Posted by: cjthomas in Eleven Hundred Springs, Reviews
Review by Mary Jane Farmer
“Country Jam” — Eleven Hundred Springs, Palo Duro Records
They had me with the first song, “Texas Afternoon,” a bouncy bit with an accordion intro. When Austin-based Heather Myles added her luxurious voice to lead singer Matt Hillyer’s on “I’ll Be Here For You,” I would have purchased the CD just for that tune. Then, to cap it off, the band added a waltz, and now this CD ranks, so far, as the pick of the year 2008, at least for this writer. Nobody does waltzes anymore, or at least few bands do. Eleven Hundred Springs’ cover of George Jones’ “Don’t Stop The Music” is uniquely their style, complete with the steel guitar and fiddle that bring that song its richness.
OK, as if that wasn’t enough, they jumped from the slow waltz to slap-bass rockabilly on “V-8 Ford Boogie.” In the midst of all that are love songs, ballads, a fine variety.
Hillyer’s voice has a richness to it that, if one didn’t know better, could suspiciously be the work of a mixing board. It isn’t mixed in, it’s natural, it’s haunting and true.
Joining regular band members Steven Berg (electric and upright bass), Danny Crelin (pedal steel guitar), Jordan Hendrix (fiddle), and Mark Reznicek (drums) and producer Lloyd Maines on acoustic guitar and banjo, Tim Alexander on piano, organ, and that intro accordion, Nick Curran on vocals on “V-8 Ford Boogie” and electric guitar, and Robert Lockart on saxophone.
Even without those added musicians, Eleven Hundred Springs has an inherent talent unique only to themselves.
The CD hit the stores this week and Eleven Hundred Springs hits Hank’s Texas Grill in McKinney Saturday night with its first of several CD release parties. The CD is also available through its distributor, Palo Duro Records, www.palodurorecords.com
Nobody’s ever borrowing my copy!
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