The Brooklyn Cowboys
Dodging Bullets
Leap Records - 1104
Released 2002
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also available on Amazon
Forget the seeming oxy-moron in their name; The Brooklyn Cowboys deliver the real goods with no dispute. This is a group of veteran musicians that have done the many one nighters with a variety of bands: from The Amazing Rhythm Aces Jeff “Stick” Davis to New Riders of The Purple Sage, and Bob Dylan, Buddy Cage, this band can walk that walk that only comes from experience. This veteran group has blended a sound that unites two strands of a musical juggernaut. This twangy and hard driving band melded together 14 songs that are a product of the whole band. It seems to be a whole group effort this time out, and in that sense it is more cohesive as a disc. The songs rock when they rock I Was Wrong written by Perry-Egan, and when they are country they have that hard twang of deep country Trick Ponies written by Brian Waldschlager. It is taking this combination of two distinct styles and fusing them that carries it that one step further. Neither of the elements are missing from any song, however the songs make a true amalgam of the two disparate
styles, while remaining predominately in one of the frameworks. Walter Egan’s vocals are in top form and he is spelled on several cuts by either Lona Heins (2 cuts) or Jo ‘Lynn’ White (2 cuts). Both of who add a pleasant contrast in vocal styles. The playing is stellar throughout the disc by everyone. Jeff Davis, bass, and {$Fredro Perry}, drums and group founder, anchor the group with their tight rhythms, allowing the rest of the band to soar and explore, led by Buddy Cage’s steel guitar. Though there is anomaly in the group’s name that is the only place where you will hear it (Just for the record there are a few top hand cowboys from Brooklyn hiding out in Arizona and New Mexico hinterlands).