|
|
|
Robbie Fulks
|
Georgia Hard
Yep Roc Records
Release: 5/17/2005
  |
|
Rated:
Review by:
Jason Warner
|
|
|
It seems I have been listening to a lot of country flavored
albums lately. The most recent is Georgia
Hard, the latest from Robbie Fulks. The
self-produced album is the first containing all original songs
from Fulks in over six years. Fulks has been playing music
for a long time and his talent really comes through on
Georgia Hard. Backed by some of Nashville's
hottest contemporary players, including Sam Bush on
mandolin; Lloyd Green on steel guitar and dobro; Redd
Volkaert on electric guitar; Hank Singer on fiddle; Alison
Brown on banjo; bassist Alison Prestwood and Dennis Crouch
on upright bass. Other top-notch players include member of
Fulks' own band, Gerald Dowd on drums; Mike Frederickson
on bass; Grant Tye on electric guitar and Joe Terry on
keyboards. In case you weren't keeping track, that's a lot of
talent for one album. Fulks' last album included guest
appearances by everyone from George Jones to Mavis
Staples. If Fulks can attract this kind of talent to record with
him his music must be pretty good. And it is
good.
There is straight up, down home country music… no
need for additional labels, insurgent, alt, roots, etc. This is
just good solid country. If it sounds old style, that's because
Fulks was raised on traditional country and bluegrass and cut
his teeth playing the circuit in various bluegrass bands.
There is very little pretentiousness evident on Georgia
Hard. Fulks is not afraid to make some serious
music, but he also shows he is not taking himself too
seriously, as on the track, "Countrier Than Thou." Fulks is
disillusioned with Nashville and everything it stands for. His
music sounds like it could have been recorded 40 years ago
and brings back a sound that modern day Nashville has all
but forgotten about.
The production on Georgia Hard is fantastic,
with all instruments able to be heard wonderfully, and Fulks'
haunting baritone voice cutting through nicely. My favorite
tracks include, "Each Night I Try," a traditional swinging
country shuffle, the boot stomping, "It's Always Raining
Somewhere," and the gentle ballad, "Leave It to a Loser."
Another great track is the hoedown instrumental, "Right on
Redd," a showcase for guest guitarist, Redd
Volkaert.
There is something striking about Robbie Fulks' songwriting.
While contemporary in the production quality, the
songwriting is decidedly traditional country. I know a lot of
people say they play traditional country, but Fulks really
nails it, both in the writing and the delivery. So, for fans of
traditional country, fear not, your beloved sound is not
extinct. Robbie Fulks is driving your beat up pick-up truck
down a dusty country road near you. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
