Cowboy 10’ll Getcha Twenty (Crazy Chester Records) It had been 37 years since Cowboy had
recorded for Capricorn Records. The mem- bers of the original band as well as subse- quent lineups had all come and gone, and the musicians were all working on other projects. It was 2008, and producer Johnny Sandlin pitched the idea to Tommy Talton of “getting the band back together,” recording a brand- new Cowboy album, and just seeing what happened. As one lucky enough to be in the studio during the first sessions, I can promise you, it was sheer magic that happened. (Read my account of the recording in this issue!) All of the original band members gath-
ered at Sandlin’s Duck Tape Studios in De- catur, Alabama, together with Johnny for the first time in over a third of a century. The music just seemed to pour out of Talton, Scott Boyer, George Clark, Tom Wynn, Bill Pilmore and Pete Kowalke. Following a second session that featured later cowboy members includ- ing Bill Stewart and Randall Bramblett, they guys had a masterpiece. The only thing is, there was a lot going on at the time, and the project became entangled in red tape. Now, ten years later, that amazing music is at long last available. Come along and enjoy it. The record includes several tracks that
feature the original band, the guys who cut the Reach for the Sky and 5’ll Getcha Ten al- bums. One of the most poignant and beautiful songs kicks off the album. “Maybe Miracles,” sung by the late Scott Boyer, is breathtaking. With backing harmonies by the other band members, the harmony is a sound reminis- cent of The Jordanaires, back when they backed Elvis. Lovely. Very nice, subdued gui- tar work from Talton and Kowalke only add to the ethereal beauty of the song. Tommy Talton is on deck next with
“Throw a Little Love My Way.” It’s a soulful love song that finds Tommy on guitar and vo- cals accompanied by Bill Stewart on drums,
David Hood on bass, Rick Hirsh on guitar, Scott Boyer on acoustic and Randall Bram- blett on B-3 organ. So nice. “Positive Flow” is another track featur-
ing the original band, an upbeat, happy song sung by Boyer with harmonies from Kowalke, Talton, Pillmore and Clark. Kowalke also adds some truly excellent lead guitar work. “Too Many Choices” also features the original guys with a fun song sung by Boyer about the many choices we face everyday. Love the spo- ken word additions at the end. One song I have heard Tommy Talton
play a few times in the past is his “Getaway Cars,” and I always loved it. For the album he brought in drummer Bryan Owings, and bassist David Hood (Muscle Shoals Swampers). Tommy sings and plays guitars on the track. Excellent. “Let it Rain” brings Scott Boyer back up
for lead vocals and acoustic guitar, with Tal- ton on acoustic guitar and Hood, Stewart, Bramblett and Hirsch adding to another new Cowboy classic. There are a lot of those hap- pening here. As in, all of ‘em! Natch. Scott also sings “I’m in a Mood,” this
one backed by the original Cowboy. Boyer gets downright theatrical with his delivery. While Scott’s singing is much better, the song kind of brings to mind Mr. Bobby Dylan. Tal- ton’s “wah wah” guitar adds bucketloads of texture, making this another instant classic for us Cowboy fans. “I Don’t Get it” features vocals from
Boyer, Talton and Bramblett on a kind of Traveling Wilbury’s type of tune. Awesome. These shared lead vocals never fail to get me excited. I love it. Boyer sings “River Doesn’t Run Here”
backed by the second lineup with Stewart, Hood, Bramblett, Talton, and Hirsch. An- other pretty song. I just have to say, not only did every man on this album perform at the top of their game, including producer Johnny Sandlin, but Scott Boyer delivered some of the finest vocals of his career. It’s a great way
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