Customer Reviews

Sons of the Golden West

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4 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Most of the previous reviewers seem to agree that this is an excellent album; it seems that the bone of contention here is whether or not John Beland and the current lineup should rightfully use the Burrito name. I have to disagree with Mr. Greilsamer, and express my support for John Beland. Although the current lineup contains no "original" members, this album (and several of its predecessors) have confirmed that the Flying Burrito Brothers tradition is being carried on in an admirable manner. Gram Parsons left the group before his death, but did not disband it; Chris Hillman, who has been critical of the later Burritos lineups, toured extensively with a lineup of non-original bandmates before he also left the band. In the ensuing years, original member Sneaky Pete revived the band with various other members (whose ranks sometimes included original member Chris Ethridge), and produced some superb music. In collaboration with such notable figures as Gene Parsons and Gib Guilbeau, the Burritos thrived. John Beland's entry into the band marked another major turning point, and the best thing to happen to the Burritos in many years. With superb credentials as guitarist, vocalist, and composer, John provided the band with some of their best material ever, and continues to do so. In my opinion, John long ago earned the right to use the name, and I am grateful to him for keeping the tradition going.

As for the album itself, it is a major work in its genre. Both material and performances are outstanding, and the caliber of the guest artists gives a clue to the quality of the contents, as well as an affirmation of the esteem in which the Flying Burrito Brothers are held in the artistic community. It is not an easy task to select a favorite cut, as the quality is consistent throughout. For a thouroughly enjoyable listening experience, give this album a try - you'll like it. Many thanks to John and the band for giving us another excellent album. Long live the Flying Burrito Brothers!

Let's get this out of the way first - Sure, this isn't the late Gram Parsons or the legendary Chris Hillman. And yes, Sneeky decided to call it quits last year, as did Gib Guilbeau. But what John Beland and Larry Patton have done on "Sons of the Golden West" is put together a Flying Burrito Brothers album. And boy what an album! Beland, Patton, drummer Gary Kubal and steel guitarist Wayne Bridge not only demonstrated their respect and affection for the grand past of LA Country Rock - but have brought it into the present.

Witness Patton's duet with Merle Haggard on THE poignant "Mama's Hungry Eyes" (I'd still like to hear Beland have go at "White Line Fever") or his rough and ready vocals on "Honky Tonk Blues". Patton's roadhouse vocal style blends in well with Beland's own fine country rock voice.

And Beland? His songs, from the title track, up through his tribute to old partner Rick Nelson on "Anybody Else But You", "Up On Sycamore" - and the nostalgic "Down At The Palomino" (listen to the "Sin City" opener!) with his twelve-string jangling are superb - and very much in the tradition of the instrumental prowess of the late Clarence White and the songwriting of Gram. About the only tune that seems to fail is the reggaeish "Locked Away" a Keith Richards song(try that on "Down In The Churchyard", guys).

I wasn't sure what to expect after Gib and Sneeky called it quits after the excellent "California Jukebox" - but Beland, Patton, steel guitarist Wayne Bridge (who, while not Sneeky, is definitely up there!), and drummer Gary Kubal have definitely soared high on "Sons of the Golden West".

While I agree that the band does not include its original members, fifteen years on the road should be enough to accept these "new" guys. More importantly, this is quite a good cd, and unlike the current bubble gum country productions this cd gets better with each play. The range of styles is a little diverse and some of the numbers could be shortened for air play, but all in all this is some good music.

"Sons of the Golden West", the new release by the Flying Burrito Brothers, is a stunning masterpiece of sonic imagery. I didn't think the FBB could soar much higher than their last release, "California Jukebox", but they break the sound barrier on "Sons". Career member John Beland's songwriting captures both the halcyon spirit of the early FBB and the authenticity that only comes with decades of experience in writing the bulk of the FBB's greatest hits.

Through the inclusion of grammy winning legends like Merle Haggard and the Oak Ridge Boys, The FBB's have mixed up a western cocktail with just the right amount of spice and bouquet. In "Mama's Hungry Eyes", FBB's Larry Patton and Merle Haggard trade off verses in a contemporaneous nod to the struggle of depression era farmers that strikes a relevant chord with the silent surrender of the midwest farmers in the '90s.

In "Down at the Palomino", Beland conjures up a bygone time and place in a concise yet wistful verbal painting of times we wish we could all go back to..."if I had a wish, I'd count to ten, click my heels and go back again"....this hook stuck in my head and replayed when I awoke the next morning. The album is full of such songwriting alchemy and each brushstroke of the mix offers up new depth and diversity.

In "Down on Sycamore", Beland describes and recounts the Hollywood music scene of the late sixties and early seventies in a ballad which is reminiscent and emotional without being whiny or maudlin. At once the "LA" guitar sound is interleaved with cascading country rock slide that is truly a fusion of genres.

Although the FBB have taken some heat from the introspective "Ode to Gram", I found the track to be an engaging and humorous number that Gram Parsons himself would have appreciated.

This album is a must for any true blue Burrito fan, past present or future.

Sincerely,

L.G. Jones

With "Sons Of The Golden West" The Flying Burrito Brothers are boldly going into a new era- but with the same country-rock sound they've been known for for 30 years. With John Beland ablyleading, the current lineup (Larry Patton-bass; Gary Kubal-drums and WayneBridge- steel guitar) are as superb asany in the band's history. There's top-notch guests in Alison Kraus, MerleHaggard and others, but what makes thisalbum great is the songwriting and performances by the band themselves.Beland, who has guided the band since 1979, is the dominant writer; and what a writer, as 'Up On Sycamore', 'Down At The Palomino', 'Area 51', 'Pioneer Zephyr Train' and the title track demonstrate. Beland's obvious affectionfor the past is balanced with production/arrangement skills that place this legendary band firmly in the present. (And his guitar playing and vocals have never been more engaging).Patton and Kubal, who also appeared on the band's last album, are amazing aswell. Kubal's playing is energetic and inventive, perhap's the best Burrito drummer ever. Patton is an outstanding vocalist and damned strong writer, as 'Genuine Healer' and 'Ode To Gram' attest. The latter is the band's hilarious but long-overdue way of getting fans of the original lineup toaccept the absence of Gram Parsons. "We're not Gram Parsons", indeed. But ifParsons could hear "Sons Of The Golden West", you know he'd be proud that the band he helped start so long ago is still so powerful and relevant today. And as for Wayne Bridge- Burrito fans will remember his work on the "Back To The Sweetheart Of The Rodeo" album, and I can happily report that on the new cd he's playing up a storm. He's more than a worthy successor to Sneeky Pete's chair. And there's sevral killer coverson this lbum too, most notably John'sbrilliant nod to his '70's boss RickNelson on 'Anyone Else But You' and Hank Williams' classic 'Honky Tonk Blues'.This is truly a great album, and one of the top Burrito offerings. This is onelegendary band that has no need to , asthe above reviewer said, "rationalize"their existence. It's all in the music, man. And let's hope The Flying BurritoBrothers continue to make music for along time- as Beland says, this musicrefuses to fade away. Play on, Burritos!

As a big fan of the Beland/Guilbeau era Burritos, I had high hopes that John Beland could lead this group after Gib Guilbeau's departure. Yes, Beland does contribute a few good tunes (the title track, Polomino, and Sycamore) but this CD has really failed to grow on me. The musicianship is great, as expected, but the album as a whole lacks that certain something special. Too much of it sounds like today's forgettable mainstream country radio. Alison Krauss' guest appearance, especially, was squandered on a cover of a mediocre song. For a real 90's Burritos classic, skip this one and try "Eye of the Hurricane."

In a world with so much worthless music, the Burritos are not just a breath of fresh air. They are life support! Although this may be blasphamy to some, John Beland's version of the band are the real Burritos to me. On Sons of the Golden West, Beland leads the group through a solid collection of very well produced songs. (With those wonderful rough edges, of course) The album's content is also quite varied. On the disc, you will find honky tonk blues, traditional country, cowboy music, fast and slow tunes, and a hint of western swing. Some pretty cool gusets are also featured on the disc like: Merle, Alison Kraus, & Delbert McClinton. If you are looking for some "real music" to deliver you from all the "top 40" country stations, this is it !

This is some truly great music. But it should not be called the Flying Burrito Brothers. The Flying Again album from 1975 should not have been called the Flying Burrito Brothers. It's well documented that following Gram's death and the release of a retrospective album, interest in the Burritos was up and former manager Tickner took some inquiries about booking the band. Since there was no FBB at the time (this was 1974 or 5) he called Gene Parsons(who had never been in the Flying Burrito Brothers) and told him that a band called FBB would have some work. Gene got together with Joel Scott Hill and Gib Guilbeau (neither of whom had been in the band before) along with Pete Kleinow and Chris Etheridge (who had both been originals). However, Etheridge had only been on one album, and while Sneeky's steel was a big part of the FBB sound, it was only one part. That band recorded an album called Flying AGain, which is good but should not be the FBB. The band slowly evolved with a revolving door to finally get to the current lineup. THIS is great music! John Beland is one of my favorite musicians of all time. By calling this band the FBB he's only taking credit away from himself. John, if you ever read this, understand that I hold you in the highest regard. Your music has meant so much to me- it's helped me through some difficult times in my life. I think the world of you but please start calling your band John Beland or perhaps something else.