I got turned onto Moot
Davis two years ago when he released Man About Town, an album that made me realize I
should listen to more country music. His new release, Goin’ In Hot, has plenty of great country, but also mixes in some
other influences, including a New Orleans flavor on “Made For Blood.” The album
features all original tunes, and all of these songs feature great work on
guitar. I also think that overall, this album’s lyrics are better than those of
the previous one. In songs like “Love Hangover,” Moot Davis takes his pain and
turns it into fun, feel-good music. Nikki Lane adds a wonderful second set of
vocals to “Hurtin’ For Real.”
Goin’ In Hot kicks off with the title track, a country rock tune
with a good, foot-stomping rhythm and some nice work on electric guitar. This
is the kind of song to get you up off your seat straight away. Here is a taste
of the lyrics: “And if I told you that I
would always be there/Baby, you know me well enough to know that I don’t care/If
I win or lose.”
The first lines of “Food
Stamps” are “Living on food stamps/And
four bottles of two-dollar wine,” lyrics I can totally relate to, and right
off I’m on board with this song. Hurrah for poverty. It’s wild how music can
make you feel good even about being completely broke. Country and blues are
particularly adept at that. I love the way Moot sings “aisle five” in the line “Clean-up
down aisle five” – the way he holds onto the words, and plays with them. And
I appreciate the pedal steel work by Gary Morse.
“Just Left Home” is one
of my favorites, and another about poverty, with its narrator unable to afford
the train. This one has a more easy-going, laid-back vibe, but still some
wonderful work on electric guitar. In this one, Moot sings, “If I told you that I loved you/You know it
would be a lie/But I’m afraid if I don’t say it/Honey, you won’t let me try/Now
maybe you’ll forgive me/Or maybe you’ll just shiv me/I just left home/About a
week ago.” I also like these lines: “Maybe
you can see me/Maybe you see right through me.”
“Made For Blood” has more
of a New Orleans feel, and is a groovy, catchy tune. With that beat, you know
this song is going to be fun. “When I
stroll/On the killing floor/You’d better know/What you’re dying for.”
“Used To Call It Love” is
another of this album’s highlights. I love the emotional vocal performance of
this one. It’s a more mellow song. It seems the more laid-back songs on this release
are the most effective. Here is a taste
of the lyrics: “Money I made/But I soon
found out/That all she desired/I could never/Come to acquire/But we used/To
call it love.” “Used To Call It Love” was co-written by Helen V. Estepp and
Moot Davis.
Moot Davis dips into some
good rock and roll on “Ragman’s Roll.” He cuts loose on this fast-paced little
gem, with some good instrumental sections. But again, it’s the mellower tracks
that are the most effective, and the thoughtful “Wanna Go Back” is one of this
CD’s strongest tracks. It’s sweet and sad, and Moot’s vocal performance is
wonderful. He sings, “But I wanna go back/And
I wanna see our boy again/And not just for five or ten/I wanna spend the whole
day with him/And you.” I love the pause before “And you,” almost like at first he wasn’t going to tell her that,
but then couldn’t hold back. It’s a perfect moment. Luella Wood provides
harmony vocals on this one, adding to the song’s beauty.
The album concludes with
its strangest tune, “25 Lights,” a rock song in which Moot is abducted by
aliens and forced to work in their mines on the moon. Kenny Vaughan plays theremin on this
track.
CD Track List
- Goin’ In Hot
- Food Stamps
- Just Left Home
- Made For Blood
- Used To Call It Love
- Walk Alone
- Midnight Train
- Hurtin’ For Real
- The Reason
- Love Hangover
- Ragman’s Roll
- Wanna Go Back
- 25 Lights
Musicians
Musicians appearing on
this album include Moot Davis on vocals and electric guitar; Bill Corvino on
guitar; Gary Morse on pedal steel guitar and dobro; Kenny Vaughan on acoustic
guitar, electric guitar, theremin and harmony vocals; Michael Massimino on
electric bass; Joey Mekler on drums and harmony vocals; Chris West on tenor and
baritone sax; Micah Hulscher on Wurlitzer; Luella Wood on harmony vocals; and Nikki
Lane on vocals.
Goin’ In Hot is scheduled to be released on April 15, 2014 on Crow
Town Records.
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ReplyDeleteMuch more rock than country with little dash of southern-rock here and there however very well played, excellent electric guitar, pedal steel and dobro licks. 4 stars.
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