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Ed Burleson "The Cold Hard Truth" Palo Duro Records
by Miss Lana |
| Ed
Burleson released his first album with Palo Duro Records in April, 2004,
titled "The Cold Hard Truth", which is a name that fits with Ed's music
in general...it's hard honky tonk music that rings with the truths of life,
which are often cold...and hard! I've been looking forward to this
album for awhile, always anxious for new songs from Ed and his band. This recording is a first for this band, as Ed put together a new band this past year, and they have been taking the neighborhood by storm. Still a favorite among festival-goers, Ed can bring a crowd to their feet dancing in no time. This album starts with a song called "Honky Tonk Heart", that is classic honky tonk. It's one of the songs getting the most airplay and for good reason. However, it's one of the songs on this CD that wasn't written by Ed, but by Daniel Ross McCoy. "All Bucked Up" was written by Ed in tribute to Buck Owens. It definitely has the "Buck Owens" style and is about the influence Buck has had on Ed's music. It's a clever song that touts the greatness of Buck Owens. It's a fun listen and the music is top rate. By the way, Ed..."good luck". "The Cold Hard Truth", the title cut, is fast-paced with a bluegrass feel. It's one of the best songs Ed has penned of late (that I've heard anyway). This tune is filled with great instrumental riffs between Ed's story of true love which turns into lies and heartache....ah, the cold hard truth. I can relate to this song. "If You Wanna Go (Just Go)", is a song that Ed wrote a long time ago and has been singing for a long time. It's a familiar tune, and it is nice hearing it on this CD. It's always been one of my favorite Ed songs. Tommy Alverson (Two Of A Kind Productions) produced this CD (except for one song, "Heart Break Highway"), and his expertise in the music industry shines through on this project. "Tell Me Why" was co-written by Ed and Tommy, and Ed features Tommy's song "I Can't Help Myself" as well. Both of these songs are true winners for Ed's style, and Tommy and Ed make a great honky tonk team. The album was recorded at Behind The Barn Studios and engineered by Curtis Tilton and Doc Wesson. Curtis Tilton did the mastering as well. That's a talented group of guys. Ed lightens the mood with a couple of fun songs, "The Can" (written by Ed) and his radio hit, "Dead Skunk" (Loudon Wainwright, III). The CD ends with "Heart Break Highway", with the previously recorded intro by the late and great Doug Sahm, Ed's friend and manager until his untimely death. This is a lively song, written by Clay Blaker and Jay Eric Phannstiel, which Ed does as well as he does his own songs. Some of the cuts don't sound quite right to me. In "Northeast Texas Women" and "Loneliness", Ed's voice sounds different somehow. The beautiful music in "Loneliness" still stands out, but "Northeast Texas Women" just doesn't have the punch that it seems to have when you hear it done live. But all in all, Ed can sing a tear-jerker like no one else and there is no honky tonk purer than this. Because Ed has a new band, his music sounds a little different than in the past, but it's still quality honky tonk music that I would recommend to any honky tonk lover...or country music lover for that matter. As Ed says, "Keep it Country!" And he does, even with a new band and a new label, Ed stays true to his music. Ed's new band consists of Richard Burleson (his dad and obviously, not new to the band), Steve Thompson, Glynn Fleming, Gerald Ray, Al Mouledous and Ray Austin (also not a new member). Guest players on this CD are Curtis Tilton, Tommy Alverson, Mark Abbott, Reggie Reuffer, Jim Richmond, Justin Alverson and Doc Wesson. I wonder if Palo Duro knows what a gem they've found in Ed Burleson's music. I also wonder what Ed's next CD will offer. Whatever it is, I'm sure it will be done in true honky tonk fashion, because that's Ed Burleson...honky tonk to the bone. And that, my friends, is a GOOD cold hard truth. Thanks for keeping it Country, Ed! To order Ed's music (all four CD's now available), visit www.LoneStarMusic.com and for more information on Ed Burleson, visit www.EdBurleson.com. You can even join his fan discussion group on Yahoo by going to the index page and clicking on the Yahoo logo on the left margin down at the bottom. Track List: Written by Lana Hughes, May, 2004 |
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