Dave Gonzalez of the Stone River Boys.
According to Amazon.com, LOVE ON THE DIAL, the debut album by the Stone River Boys, isn't due until June 8.
Which is why I was a little surprised when I stumbled upon the the digital version of the album on iTunes and Amazon MP3 last night.
I bought it, of course (I also got the new Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers single, "I Should Have Known It," which is kind of decent).
If you feel like doing the same, consider downloading it via Amazon MP3 ($8.99 tax free), as opposed to iTunes ($9.99 plus tax).
SOME BACKGROUND: Dave Gonzalez -- a very tasteful player -- came to prominence in the late 1980s as the man behind The Paladins, a hard-working Southern California-based rockabilly, surf and roots-rock trio.
After their last album (2003's EL MATADOR) and tour, Gonzalez formed Hacienda Brothers (classic, Bakersfield-style country, not modern-radio-country garbage) with singer Chris Gaffney in 2005. They made four pithy, fun, freakin' awesome country albums (including a live disc recorded in Europe).
Unfortunately, Gaffney died of cancer in 2008 -- and that marked the end of a very good thing.
Along come the Austin, Texas-based Stone River Boys, a funky five-piece country/roots-rock band with plenty of soul -- and talent. I'm not exactly sure who's playing what on LOVE ON THE DIAL (because I bought the download), but here's the lineup, according to the band's MySpace page:
You've got Gonzalez on electric guitar, including some baritone guitar (plus he sings a tune or two). The lead vocalist is Mike Barfield (formerly of The Hollisters). Scott Esbeck (formerly of Los Straitjackets) plays bass. Gary Newcomb is the heavily featured pedal steel guitarist. Mark Patterson plays drums.
I've been looking forward to this release for a long time -- and I'm very happy with it so far. It has a strong Hacienda Brothers feel (except that the funky knob has been turned up to 11), some mind-blowing steel guitar playing and more than enough six-string flare to keep the Gonzalez fans happy.
There's even a cover of The Monkees' "Take a Giant Step" done with a slow, country feel -- sort of how it would've sounded if Mike Nesmith & The First National Band had recorded it in 1970. It is interesting, however, that the album's lone instrumental, "Steel City," highlights Newcomb's playing, not Gonzalez's. No complaints; Newcomb is incredible.
Anyway, all I can say is, if you appreciate good music (regardless of the genre), you might enjoy this album as much as I do. Give it a listen!
Click here for the Stone River Boys' website.
Click here to sample the album on Amazon MP3.
Click here for a blog entry from last year that delves into the Hacienda Brothers situation.
