Anyone who has a hankering to don a pair of jeans, park the cowboy hat on the head and do a little western swing will find plenty to celebrate in three recent country-music releases.
RICK TREVINO; "Looking for the Light" (Sony Music). * * * 1/2
It's hard to conceive of a voice more suited to country music than Rick Trevino's. And the clean tenor with a slight down-home twang has found a perfect showcase in the collection of songs on "Looking for the Light."
Whether he's swinging along to the upbeat "Full Deck of Cards" or balladeering to the title cut, Trevino is a man in control of his words and music. No country-rock or crossover pop music here, just the purest of traditional country. He even sneaks in a little Merle Haggard and Tommy Collins with "Poor, Broke, Mixed Up Mess of a Heart."
It's the usual likeable collection of themes: hello love, goodbye love, family and hard work. It's apple-pie simple, with nice word play worked in to make it catchy and memorable.
That's not to say the songs are forgettable; they aren't. "The San Antonio Rose to You," the only song Trevino wrote, is lovely and haunting.
The Deseret News classical music critic once said of Michael Martin Murphey, "What's not to like?" The same could be said of Trevino. He's not a roaring fire or an explosion of light and sound. Consequently, he's not going to burn out in a hurry. He's the fire in the hearth at home, a slow steady burn that keeps drawing people back.
LITTLE TEXAS; "Kick a Little" (Warner Brothers). * * *
Country music Little Texas style is a bit "kickin'," hovering close at times to country-rock. The title cut's the best example. But they also dish out country the old-fashioned way, with growling guitar riffs and country-swing rhythms.
There's a strange alchemy to the album; although the themes and music vary a great deal, each song begs the listener to get up and dance. Slow to "Southern Grace." A swaying, slow-paced swing to "Amy's Back in Austin." "She's Cool" is perfect for a line dance.
The six members of Little Texas are Del Gray, Duane Propes, Brady Seals, Tim Rushlow, Brady Seals, Dwayne O'Brien and Porter Howell. The last four take turns on lead vocals, and that provides a variety that is unusual and intriguing. They don't sound at all alike; they sing different types of songs and blend the package together into a very satisfying playlist, evocative one minute of George Jones and the next of Sawyer Brown.
This is a good disc for people who like their country as varied as the events in a rodeo.
PERFECT STRANGER; "It's Up to You" (Pacific Records). * * * 1/2
Great lyrics and stunning guitar work are the trademark of the four men who form a very satisfying whole as Perfect Stranger. They may not be perfect, but they won't be strangers long as more country aficionados get to know them.
"You Have the Right to Remain Silent" turns the old Miranda warning on its head, applying it to a slow dance between a broken-hearted woman and the man who's cared for her from a distance.
"Even the Jukebox Can't Forget" has memorable lyrics and emotion: "One night alone, your memory's so strong, even the jukebox can't forget."
They're good at mixing it up, from the slow and tentative "I'm a Stranger Here Myself" to the fast-paced, clap-and-tap songs like "Ridin' the Rodeo" and "Cut Me Off."
The voices of lead vocalist Steve Murray and background vocalists Richard Raines and Shayne Morrison blend exquisitely. And drummer Andy Ginn is no slouch either.
RATINGS: four stars (* * * * ), excellent; three stars (* * * ), good; two stars (* * ), fair; one star (* ), poor, with 1/2 representing a higher, intermediate grade.