The Flatlanders
"Wheels Of Fortune"
"Live 72"
by Johanna J. Bodde
| THE FLATLANDERS "Wheels Of Fortune" (New West Records)
www.newwestrecords.com  In the year 1972 The Flatlanders played together for the first time in Lubbock, Texas. The world wasn't ready for their music yet and after making one record they went their separate ways to build each a career that rings like a bell. Joe Ely, the hardened-by-life rocker, who you think to see at a roadhouse with a lot of motorcycles parked out front. Jimmie Dale Gilmore, with his long meanwhile gray hair looking like a wise medicineman, whose unworldly beautiful voice you already recognize after only a few notes. Butch Hancock, the little less striking folksinger with his cool sense of humor, who whips up the smartest lyrics without blinking. In the meantime it was 1998 and The Flatlanders came back together to record a song for the soundtrack of that touching movie with Robert Redford, "The Horse Whisperer". And then the gentlemen had so much fun in the collaboration, that they made a very successful album: "Now Again". In the year 2004 another masterpiece lands next to our CD-player, a luxurious digipack in the colors of the setting sun. It features fourteen tracks, recorded at Joe Ely's studio in Austin, with a number of fabulous musicians (Rob Gjersoe!). Singing and songwriting are divided between the trio, but -that's funny- they don't necessarily sing leadvocals on their own handiwork. There is brandnew material featured and there are tracks I know already, like that breathtaking "Indian Cowboy". The few flaws are a pity though, for instance little hop-skip "my -last- bottom dollar" in "Wishin' For You", lyrics sheet not at hand? Butch Hancock shines again with finds like: "Is it androids or elephants that never forget?" --- Written by Johanna J. Bodde, Dutch original of this review previously published on Real Roots Cafe, The Netherlands. ===== |
THE FLATLANDERS "Live '72" (New West Records)
www.newwestrecords.com  It was June 8, 1972 in Austin, Texas. The Flatlanders: Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Joe Ely and Butch Hancock, had recorded an album during the winterperiod and thanks to the enthusiasm of a local DJ usually about twenty people showed up at their gigs by now. Good recording equipment was still rare back then, but Gary Oliver, owner of The One Knite, turned out to be an expert. He had just started to invite bands -willing to play for "tips"- to his bar, although the audience usually turned out to be broke... He also put, without asking, those shows on tape. And that's how it could happen, that in the year 2004 a CD came out of the blue, with all this good stuff! Neatly mastered, with a fade if necessary, no talking, just parts of the applause and some muffled murmur of the bar inhabitants in the background. This album has its own atmosphere and doesn't let you go so easily... Jimmie Dale Gilmore sang most of the leadvocals, Joe Ely did what remained and Butch Hancock restricted himself to singing harmonies, but he was the only one who had his own songs on the setlist! Nothing wrong with the other names there, Hank Williams, Jesse Fuller and Tex Ritter. Al Strehli knew then already how to write 'm, Townes VanZandt got covered, an enthusiastic "Walkin' Down The Line" passed by and last songs were "Bring It On Home To Me" and that delicious "Jole Blon". Everything was laid down on a comfortable bed of acoustic guitars, supplemented by harmonica, dobro, banjo, autoharp and bassguitar, as there were three buddies of the trio playing along. Take notice of that incredible "singing saw"! How to nail down a time capsule... --- Written by Johanna J. Bodde, Dutch original of this review previously published on Real Roots Cafe, The Netherlands. ===== |