Ralston Bowles - Rally at the Texas Hotel

Ralston Bowles is a songwriters songwriter. His songs have depth and transcendence in the vein of a Bruce Cockburn or Bill Mallonee. His newest album is Rally at the Texas Hotel. After I heard the album I did some internet research on him and found that he has been profoundly influenced by author Phillip Yancey, who is one of my favorite authors. In fact Yancey's book "What's So Amazing about Grace" was the inspriation of his song "Grace" from a previous album (incidentally that book was also an inspiration for a U2 song by the same.) In other words, it is no wonder that I have such a personal connection with this recording.

On Rally he comments on our culture by employing cultural icons in a humorous way. First there is the song "I Saw John Kennedy Today" in which he uses revisionist history by encountering John Kennedy, who is on a permanent road trip after leaving it all behind when his double was shot in Dallas. Hey if you are going to use JFK why stop there. On the song "Velvet Elvis" he inquires "When did he cross that line from a person to a textile shrine." He reflects on modern religion on "Begging the Question." However, unlike most post-modern singers he doesn't end with cynicism. He proposes an answer on the song "Friend of God," which is a call to simplicity and relationship. He also covers the Mark Heard song "Satellite Sky." The songs are well crafted. At times they are humorous and entertaining at others they are thought provoking and inspiring. The album is on Judy Collins' Wildflower Records. The same label that produced Wes Charlton, who I have posted on previously.

The album was produced by Mark Eitzoni (Counting Crows) and he is joined on the album by Gurf Morlix and Charlie Sexton.

Check out his
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Wes Charlton - World on Fire

Every so often I encounter a new artist that really gets me fired up. Since I entered the blogosphere a little over a year ago, my opportunity to discover these upstart talents has been an unexpected benefit. Nashville’s Wes Charlton is one of those artists. All I can say is watch out. This kid is special. His new album World on Fire was recently released on Judy Collins’ Wildflower records. He is a roots influenced singer-songwriter who is a talented lyricist and composer. He is only 24 years but World on Fire is evocative of more established songwriters like a Ryan Adams. His music has Americana undertones but it is equally contemporary.

The album starts out with the slow, brooding but deeply moving “Daytime Blues.” Then it moves to the more rocking angst ridden “Still Here,” which is reflective on a life Charlton seems to feel is beyond his control. In fact, this is a recurring theme he returns to on other songs like “Red Eyes, Blue Lights.” The uncontrollable circumstances of life is a concept that makes the album very relevant to the listener. In fact, sometimes the circumstances of our life are our on doing. “My heart is broken. I paid the cost. I had to get free but all I got was lost.” (“The Wait.”). He also comments on our failed attempts to break free by invoking Icarus and his wax wings on “Change Will Come.” Musically the album is never stale and even gets adventurous when mixing banjo with electric guitar. Wes Charlton is just getting started and I have a feeling we will be hearing more about him in the future.



This review also appears on Twangville