Hugs and Missesby Stephen Hug“Keepin’ It ‘Tween the Lines” by Paul Eason (Texican Records)—This is a recording of subtle excellence. It doesn’t grab you, although Paul Eason’s voice and the instruments meld together beautifully right from the get-go, making sounds appealing to country fans, mainstream and alternative. The songs are likeable and well performed but to my furry ears the recording reaches its heights in the last three tracks. This is equivalent to “burying the lead” in the news business, particularly since this is his debut. Track nine, “Abilene,” is soft and soulful and had me singing along almost immediately (It could be a mainstream country hit!); track ten, “Hundred Dollar Bills,” combines a strong mandolin opening with a nice ‘n nasty country-rock kick; and the last song, “’Till the Moving Buries Me,” is mostly a mid-tempo, straightforward on-the-road-again rocker—but opens and ends with a brief, mournful instrumental that paints a picture of a moonlight night out on the prairie, or maybe at the truck stop. A compelling, classy debut for this Texan, who writes most of the tunes, plays guitar and bass, and produced the recording. Special kudos to steel guitar player Danny Hawk. 3 1/2 bottle caps. Next time, don’t bury the lead, Paul! (And I don’t mean the guitar!)“Home To You” by The Peasall Sisters (Dualtone)—It’s been something like five years since these girls performed in the “Down From the Mountain” shows and film, celebrating the music from the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou,” which their voices were in. In “Down From the Mountain” they looked awfully young—damn near toddlers! In “Home To You” the oldest is 18 and the youngest 12, and their voices, while maturing, still sound childlike, maybe an octave below Alvin and the Chipmunks. They’re still doing the mountain thang, including the Carter Family’s “I Never Will Marry”—not surprising since the CD’s producer is John Carter Cash, Carter descendent and son of Johnny Cash and June Carter. To the girls’ credit, they include some original compositions along with traditional selections. I say to their credit, because I’m wondering if they can sustain a long-term career as museum pieces for a bygone era, no matter how sweetly they harmonize—so they better start creating their future now. Look, if you’re into the traditional hill country, Sunday-go-to-meeting sound, this is the CD for you. It’s well performed (and features the guitar styling of Randy Scruggs), and tastefully produced. If you find such stuff depressing, take a pass. As for me, if I’m in a repenting mood, wanting to make things right with the Lord, this is a 4 bottle capper. “Pilgrims” by FolksTogether–I can’t write a review about this recording because I’ve done a number of musical projects with these fine musicians from Rhode Island and consider them friends. That said, they somehow successfully mix folk and country with stuff written by Carole King and a couple guys in Procol Harum. For what it’s worth, I like it, and always look forward to having them perform at the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River, MA, where I emcee the shows. FolksTogether performs in New England and New York.
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