Telehog
There are a handful of Telecaster masters, and Volkaert is one of them. Some say he’s country, and much of his essence is rooted in the genre, but he’s more complex than that. One gets the sense there’s a rocker deep inside, as he gives off the same aura as the late Danny Gatton; John Jorgensen during his Hellecaster days; Junior Brown on any of his albums; or more recently, the well-kept secret that is Johnny Hiland.
429
Dave Matthews’ “Fat Man” arguably is the best reinterpretation on this “tribute” album. Radically different from the original, it’s slowed way down and adds African and island overtones, but the real treat is Matthews’ dozen and a half vocal tracks (he’s always used his voice like an instrument) and Sonny Landreth’s soporific slide guitar.
Capitol
Hired guitar slinger, king of countrypolitan, TV and movie star. Campbell, like Gene Autry, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, parlayed musical popularity into TV (“The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour”) and movie (“True Grit”) appearances that fueled sales (47 million albums). But his last Top 10 country song was 20 years ago; since then, except for a few gospel records in the ’90s, his output has been spotty.
Favored Nations
Sardinas won’t be able to do these songs justice in concert, and that’s a good thing. There hasn’t been a lot of difference between his shows and his CDs, because he’s always recorded in a trio configuration (outside of an occasional guest appearance by Hubert Sumlin, Johnny Winter or Honeyboy Edwards). But the addition of “and Big Motor” to his moniker isn’t the only change since his last album five years ago.
Yep Roc
Who does Lauderdale think he is, Ryan Adams? Actually, when it comes to prolific, he’s about to best Adams’ feat of three albums in a year. “Honey Songs” is the second in a trio planned to span a nine-month period.
