Vanguard Records
2008
The Boxmasters
About This Album
Upon an initial listen to the Boxmasters, Billy Bob Thornton's new "hillbilly rock" trio, its seems he finally got his heart's musical desire: a bona fide rock & roll band that is deeply rooted in Bakersfield country, Tennessee hillbilly boogie, and early- to mid-'60s pop via the British Invasion. Thornton, who goes by W.R. "Bud" Thornton, plays drums, shakes tambourines, and sings, with J.D. Andrew on bass, guitars, and harmony vocals, while Michael Wayne Butler handles lap steel, dobro, and lead guitars; along with a slew of other "other Boxmasters" guests. The extras will be part of the touring unit -- including another drummer. (This way Thornton can concentrate on "singing" up front where people can see him.) This project reeks of novelty and shtick, beginning with the packaging: two CDs -- one each of originals and covers -- in a cardboard box with a black-and-white photo of the three founding Boxmasters on the front wearing their trademark uniform of retro looking suits. That said, they deliver exactly what that say they do: a pretty seamless blend of decently written Buck Owens-style country tunes that are textured by reverb, echo chambers, and layered guitars, with simple harmonies and catchy melodies that recall the '60s.
Track List

Disc 1 (try tracks 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9)

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Disc 2 (try tracks 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 8)

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