Ray Wylie Hubbard
DANGEROUS SPIRITS
Philo 1206
visit Ray's website
also available on amazon
This is a disc you like when you first put it on, and it does nothing but improve each time you listen to it. Each time you put it on something new seems to appear. Be it a harmony vocal that was overlooked, it may be some new take on the lyrics suddenly hitting home, or a fantastic solo by someone in this exceptionally tight band of players he has put together. Take a beat and give some credit to the professionalism on this disc. The basic band is just as tight as can be, but you expect that with people like Terry Ware, Lloyd Maines handling a major portion of the guitar work and a rhythm section of Paul Pearcy and Dave Heath, and what is enjoyable is that each player gets time to shine without it seeming forced. There does not seem to be the need to put one up on the others, but lets do our thing with an economy that goes with the songs, not try and outdo them. Also the use of guest artists here only enhances the songs, without making the guests a focal point of the disc.
The focus of this disc on Ray Wylie Hubbard’s song writing. His fragmented view of the spirits and broken heroes, lovers and other miscreants that inhabit the American West of his mind, and enter into ours in a most universal way. The people and the choices they made, the consequences of those choices, and what the future can hold if the mind can come to accepts its responsibilities for the choices. A choice that leads to troubles does not necessarily lead to doom. A major blending of America's music's of the people, he combines here blues, fold and storytelling to come up with this gem.
Songs - All by Ray Wylie Hubbard except where noted and times
1. dangerous spirits - 4:47
2. if heaven is not a place to go - 3:10
3. without love (we're just wastin' time) 3:55
4. hey that's all right - 4:40
5. last train to amsterdam - 4:58
6. the last younger son - 5:28
7. resurrection - Al Grierson - 3:56
8. crimson dragon tattoo 2:54
9. the sun also rises - 3:30
10. the ballad of the crimson kings 4:41
Players and instruments
Ray Wylie Hubbard - Vocal, Mandolin, Acoustic 12 string Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica
Terry Ware - Electric Guitar (Telecaster), Acoustic Guitar, Acoustic Bottleneck Guitar
Lloyd Maines - Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Electric Slide Guitar, Acoustic Slide Guitar, Dobro
Dave Heath - Bass
Paul Pearcy - Drums, Percussion
Tony Joe White (track 6)- Acoustic Lead guitar, Electric Guitar
Mike Henderson (track 1) - Electric Guitar (Silvertone)
Kieran Kane (track 3) - Mandolin
Icky Starmaker (track 10) - tambourine