John Lilly

12.14.2007 -- Review by: John Walker

His artistic talents are on display with his latest CD titled Haunted Honky Tonk. This 14-song CD includes 10 brilliantly written songs by Lilly. These songs, and Lilly’s traditional approach, are what is missing in country music today. You can feel the passion in Lilly’s voice as he plays his acoustic guitar singing “I’m Paying Now” and “Pave My Grave.” His simplicity in style and sound captures the listener, allowing them to sit back and enjoy the music. Either one of these songs could stand alone as a hit back in the heyday of Hank Sr.

As a salute to his country heroes, Lilly includes two outstanding covers. The first one is the Jimmie Rodgers classic “Whippin that Old T.B.” Lilly later sings Hank Sr.’s “I Can’t Escape from You.” Lilly does a very good job vocally on each of these, not over-singing and allowing the lyrics to speak to the listener, just as they were intended by the legends themselves.

Lilly lightens the mood with the very clever song “Roadkill.” This song is a humorous take from the perspective of a deer trapped in the headlights of love, only to end up as “roadkill on the highway to your heart.” It is recorded live at one of his performances, in order to share the enjoyment with others while listening along. The varied ending on the song, wrapping it up by mixing in classics such as “I Fall to Pieces” and “On the Road Again” adds to the fun.

The instrumentals on this CD add to the quality. Bill Kirchen plays electric guitar on “Who Broke the DJ’s Heart” and the driving “Wrong, Wrong, Wrong.” Buddy Griffin does an outstanding job on fiddle throughout. On the classic “Groundhog,” Lilly not only provides vocals, but plays a mean mandolin as well.

This is a fun country CD, provided by someone who understands what country music is all about. Lilly delivers in every possible way, keeping alive the dream that country music still lives.