One of the great things about music is that we all have different things which draw us in. Some listen only for how well the singer belts it out. Others may prefer to listen to how the guitar player rips it up. Then there are some of us who just like a well written song, regardless of how well it is sung.
For his third release, David Serby provides a little of everything for the listener to enjoy. “Honky Tonk and Vine” includes 13 songs, all written by Serby, which take the listener on a trip through a mixture of traditional country, western swing, and a bit of the Bakersfield sound as well.
While it must be said that Serby is not going to be compared to any of the great vocalists of the past, he still has enough to keep your attention. It is his writing talents that truly shine in this release. The songs are lyrically addictive, plus well supported by toe-tapping instrumentals.
Serby opens the record with the hard driving “Get It In Gear,” which certainly has a Junior Brown feel to it. Other strong highlights include the heart wrenching “I Only Smoke When I’m Drinkin’,” and equally adept “Permanent Position.” Serby has a keen ability to paint a picture of despair with his music. He describes the woes of love gone wrong so well, one can easily picture him standing at the end of the bar with a cold one in his hand drowning his sorrows.
The call back “The Grass Is Always Bluer” would make Bob Wills proud, with a definite western swing that is done very well. “Don’t Even Try” is another well written song that will definitely have you tapping and singing along.
While there are a few songs which don’t quite hit their intended mark, the highlights definitely make this one worthwhile. The songs have a timeless quality to them, capturing a purity missing from a lot of today’s music.
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