Shuffle5 Records
The Last Country Album
About This Album
A name like HeyBale suggests one of those jokey country bands, maybe put together by some younger rockers going through their "roots" phase. The reality is just the opposite. HeyBale are an ensemble of some of Austin's top musicians who serve up honky tonk tunes that sound traditional but not stodgy. The big names here are guitarist Redd Volkaert and piano man Earl Poole Ball. The Grammy-nominated Volkaert was Merle Haggard's guitarist for half a dozen years as well as being an in-demand session man and solo artist. Ball, another Haggard alum, has a résumé that also includes Johnny Cash, the Byrds, and Buck Owens. Volkaert, whose richly resonant vocal style recalls fellow guitar slinger Junior Brown, does a fine turn on the Willie Nelson weeper "Mr. Record Man." Ball contributes several timeless-sounding originals, "Livin' in a Cheap Motel," "Everything...About Drinkin'," and "Honky Tonk Mood." They all project a strong lived-in feel with the latter succinctly representing what the band and album are all about.

Despite all the veteran talent here (bassist Kevin Smith and drummer Tom Lewis also have lengthy credits to their names), the secret weapon is the least heralded member, Gary Claxton.
Track List (try tracks 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9)

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