In a Honky-Tonk Mood is the new CD from the Lucky Tomblin Band, an all-star lineup of some of Austin's finest musicians. The band is comprised of Lucky Tomblin on lead vocals, Earl Poole Ball on piano and lead vocals, Redd Volkaert on lead guitar and lead vocals, Sarah Brown on bass and lead vocals, John Reed on lead guitar and lead vocals, Jon Hahn on drums and Bobby Arnold on rhythm guitar.
The original concept for
In a Honky-Tonk Mood was to find great, obscure country songs from the '40s, '50s (and maybe a few from the '60s) that had fallen through the cracks of time and never been revived. The band went through hundreds of old songs, eventually ending up with a mix of obscure and old favorites – the newest is at least 40 years old, and many of them much older than that.
This is the second album from the Lucky Tomblin Band, following the fall 2003 release of its self-titled debut, which the
Philadelphia Inquirer called "an engaging set of traditional country that also touches on western swing, blues and conjunto."
No Depression proclaimed it "a swinging affair, tight but casual. It's the sound of musicians showing how well they know their way around the sound...the music has variety, emotion and some strong, sure hands at work."
Each of the band's members has an impressive resume of recording experience. Lucky Tomblin first sang in public with the likes of Roger Miller, Little Jimmy Dickens and Ray Price. Earl Poole Ball spent 20 years as a member of Johnny Cash's band, and also played piano on two landmark albums: Gram Parsons'
Safe at Home and the Byrds'
Sweetheart of the Rodeo. Redd Volkaert most recently was lead guitarist for Merle Haggard's band, the Strangers. He's also recorded several albums of his own and played on numerous others, including one by Brad Paisley,
Mud on the Tires, which was nominated for a Grammy Award. Bassist Sarah Brown has toured or recorded with such artists as Albert Collins, Earl King, Jimmy Rogers, James Cotton, Dave Alvin, Paul Carrack and Billy Bragg. Drummer Jon Hahn has performed with the likes of The Flatlanders, Radney Foster, Joe Ely, and Rosie Flores. Rhythm guitarist Bobby Arnold, who also engineered the new CD, has recorded such legends as Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Merle Haggard and Les Paul. Guitarist John Reed's credits include work with Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Doug Sahm, Marcia Ball and Lucinda Williams.
The new album is the perfect soundtrack for a Saturday night at a Texas honky-tonk. Some of the many highlights on
In a Honky-Tonk Mood include songs by Moon Mullican ("I Done It" and "Lonesome Hearted Blues"), Harlan Howard ("Key's in the Mailbox," and "I Don't Believe I'll Fall In Love"), Floyd Tillman ("Cold War" and "I Love You So Much It Hurts"), as well as such classics as "Trouble in Mind," "There She Goes" and "Honky Tonk Hard Wood Floor."
