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singer/acoustic guitarist of the band Low Willie for several years now, but never knew he was a talented songwriter. Nor did I have an inkling that he had a band. I know him as a radio announcer who had kindly interviewed me at least a couple of times about my journal- istic and musical endeavors. Randy Walker (aka: Low Willie) is a top- notch radio-man and con- ducts a great interview. Now, as I listen to the band’s new album, Love, Law and Disorder (DIY), I see that he is quite a song- writer and storyteller. I just love “Time to Get Stoned,” as well as the opening tune, “Hard Luck Saturday Night.” Not unlike one of my heroes, Bob Dylan, Low Willie’s voice is an acquired taste, but hey, so was Bobby Zimmerman at first, and like Bob, these are well writ- ten songs, played well by Randy, Woody Mitchell, Tom Kuhn, Rob Thorne, Tom Eure and Curtis Morrison. If you like a well-crafted lyric, you just gotta check out Low Willie…It always amazes me when an artist puts out an awesome album many years after their death. Such is the case with Jeff Healey, whose Heal My Soul (Provouge) is just what the rock and blues doctor ordered. The album is packed with great songs, but for me, the ones that rise to the top are the smooth “Baby Blue;” the set opener “Moodswing” that features some funky grooves and that unmistakable guitar work from Healy; the wah-wah enhanced, Hendrix- like “Please;” and my personal favorite, the beautiful acoustic tune “All the Saints.” It’s great to hear Healey’s unique guitar and soul- ful voice again…Tony Joe White brings back the swamp with his new one, Rain Crow(Yep Roc). This one is classic ‘Bama TJW, from the


The Highwaymen


swampy “Hoochie Woman” - one of his best songs ever - to the title track, “Rain Crow,” to the closer “Tell Me a Swamp Story,” the nine tracks on Tony Joe’s 17th studio album ooze the swamp sound from your speakers. His musty baritone voice and dark and brooding guitar work are a lethal combination, and they will bite you harder than a gator. (Chomp!) Produced by White’s son Jody, Rain Crow stands as one of Tony Joe’s finest records to date. With stripped down instrumenta- tion –bass, drums, keys and the occasional harmonica, the music is simply a back- drop for White’s stories. He has always brought to mind the late J.J. Cale, only a lot darker and muggier. At the age of 73, White not only still has it, he has even more of “it.”…For ten years during the late ‘80’s and early ‘90’s, The Highwaymen showed


the world what a real country music super group looked like. Featuring Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson, the group scored a number one hit with “Highwayman,” a kind of “Spoon River Anthology” set to music. From there, it was two great albums and tours that featured not only the group’s collective greatness, but spotlighted the many hits scored by the indi- vidual members. Now comes the definitive Highwaymen package, The Highwaymen Live: American Outlaws (Columbia Legacy), consisting of three CD’s and a DVD culled from a single 1990 concert. The four super- stars checked their egos at the door to perform as a single, solid unit, and it was magic. Hear- ing them cover “Mystery Train” and “Despera- dos Waiting for a Train” or delve into their hits like “Ring of Fire,” “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Good Hearted Woman,” “Folsom


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