Americana Music Reviews

Back in the late 80's, Austin sideman and budding songwriter Terry McBride packed up all of his toys and moved to Nashville, with the same dream that so many young musicians have, to make it in Music City. McBride's resume included being a sideman to such notable Texas talent as Rosie Flores, Delbert McClinton, and Lee Roy Parnell. However, these Texas heavyweights didn't carry all that much influence in Tennessee. While the odds may have been against him, McBride had one thing in his favor, which was that he had been blessed with a tenor voice that was just begging to be heard. Soon it was heard, and by the right person, Tony Brown, who at the time was a producer for one of Music City's largest labels, MCA. Brown introduced McBride to guitarist/singer Ray Herndon and drummer/singer Billy Thomas. Together they formed (and still form) McBride and the Ride, country music's big-haired power trio that boasted some of the tightest three part harmonies ever to be heard, and the rest, as they say, is musical history.

After six years and three chart-topping albums, McBride and the Ride came to a sudden halt. While very much in their musical prime, the three members parted ways amicably and each went in pursuit of their own projects.

Now, seven years later, Amarillo Sky marks the return of McBride and the Ride with their first album of original material since their surprising mid-90's break up. Short of the disappearance of the big hair that was a trademark in their earlier incarnation, little has changed. The old chemistry still seems to be there and the harmony vocals that Herndon and Thomas supply to McBride's booming tenor are still the tightest around. If anything, their sound is a little more seasoned and mature, and musically they are displaying a little more diversity.

Seven of Amarillo Sky's ten tracks are love songs, and to an old cynic like me that is a quick way to lose my interest. However, I kept finding myself drawn into and amazed by how utterly tight this band is musically and especially by their unparalleled harmonies. When I first shared this assignment with the other writers at Rockzillaworld, one of them made mention that he had always admired McBride's voice. What he failed to mention was the extraordinary job the other two-thirds of the band do in framing this voice. Just listen as these three voices intertwine on a number like "Yours," a slow ballad that could easily have been performed acapella, although there is some beautiful gut string guitar work by Herndon, as the harmonies make the song.

The title track, one of the few songs penned outside of the band, is perhaps the strongest offering on this CD. The band's performance lends a depth to this story of a struggling west Texas farmer that mere words cannot always achieve. Another highlight on this album is their cover of the old Who classic, "Squeeze Box." Much of this rendition reminded me of remotely of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils in their heyday, as electric guitars and power drums intertwine with banjos and jew's harps. The outcome is truly enjoyable.

While Amarillo Sky may not exactly be my glass of beer, it is hard to find anything negative to say about it. It is a well-performed and well-written album. There is a chemistry that exists between the members of the band that shines through on every track. Suffice it to say that folks who enjoyed McBride and the Ride the first time around will find this record to be quite possibly their best yet. Do I discourage folks from checking out this album? Far from it! In fact, if you are not familiar with the music of McBride and the Ride, I strongly encourage you to get on over to your favorite online purveyor of music and listen to a few tracks. I guess that the only thing that stands between me and a hearty thumbs up to this album would be my answer to that philosophical argument originally posed by Sir Paul McCartney, and that is quite simply, "I have had enough of silly love songs."

*Not quite as jaded by life as this reviewer? Then drop by www.mcbrideandtheride.com or www.dualtone.com to learn more about this talented trio.



You can contact Scott Snidow at: scott-at-rockzilla.net

 
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