Hayes Carll
Little Rock
Highway 87 Music
visit Hayes' website
also available on amazon
With his deep rich voice booming out coming across with that bit of twang that says he is of Texas blood and soil. His words grab you, sit you down and make you listen to his stories while tapping your toe to the music. His songs and rhythms have this way of infiltrating into the blood stream and staying there as if they have grown there and become an organic part of your being. They music has that wonderful simple feel of a driving rhythm with at times a softness can be comforting if at times disconcerting as it makes you think of the pictures his words pull up in the mind. It is roots rock and has its origins deep in the soil and work of growing up. His voice has that same growl and is reminiscent of Ray Wylie Hubbard, with whom he co-wrote “Chickens.” He wrote or co-wrote all the rest of the 11 tunes on this disc, there are two songs co-written with John Evans and one with Guy Clark. This is a young man with much to say and a way to say it
that is both effective and pleasing to the ears, as well it stays around with you like that wonderful frolicking puppy that wouldn’t be shooed away and just followed you home. He is backed on this effort by a crack Nashville bunch of musicians, and helped out by having it produced by R.S. Field. This is someone you may not have heard of yet, particularly if you live outside of the state of Texas, however he is someone you are going to be hearing of in the future. His songs have a clear and distinct voice and they seem to thrive once they get into your system.