Ruthie and the Wranglers
LIFE'S SAVINGS
Lasso 08102
visit Ruthie's website
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also available on amazon
This is the second release for this oh so twangy country group that is setting the Washington DC. country scene afire, for that matter they are getting more and more airplay all over the country as well they should. Ruthie Logsdon has written some of the most original and cheeky compositions I have heard in quite a spell. I particularly like the tongue stuffed into the cheek, HE'S A HONKY TONK MAN (BUT HE WANTS TO BE A HONKY TONK WOMAN). Just as a title it ranks right up there with IF YOU DIVORCE ME BABY WHO'LL GET THE PICKUP TRUCK, and of course the old Spooky Tooth song, SHE BROKE MY HEART SO I BUSTED HER JAW, and the words don't disappoint. Take her seriously, even though she plays with words and with your mind, she is writing some of the most witty and insightful compositions I am hearing at this time. She wrote, or co-wrote, 5 of the 11 songs. Guitarist and collaborator with Ruth on 2 songs, Phil Mathieu, wrote one instrumental, which really allows him to step forward and show off the licks he is putting out there for our aural pleasure. He is displaying some of the tastiest picking I have heard in a bit, definitely a force to be reckoned with in the close future when one thinks of hot guitar players in the country/rockabilly genre. This group is solid all the way through. Mark Noone does some fine bass playing, provides that backing vocals, as well as producing this disc. Joel App puts a definite powerful beat into all the grooves this disc has to offer. He is a drummer that seems to play country with a Chicago Blues background. I have no idea where Ruthie is from but her twang is from as deep in the heart as they come. She uses that heart to put some life into some of the covers and perk them up a bit. Listen to the very high energy version of Loretta Lynn's FIST CITY, a song that had grown as close to being lifeless as the last hacking breath before the spirit flees the body. This group is one that should be considered for sheer energy, and they have the chops and intelligence to blast you out of any lethargy. This is a group that is putting life into the country/rockabilly music world.
Songs, times and writers
WHAT MAMA DON'T KNOW - 4:08 - Ruth Logsdon, Phil Mathieu
HE'S A HONKY TONK MAN - 3:25 - Ruth Logsdon
A DIME AT A TIME - 2:53 - J. Chesnut/D. Bruce
THINKIN' AND DRINKIN' - 4:16 - Mark Matarese, Ruth Logsdon
DON'T BUG ME BABY - 3:07 - Leon Luallen/Johnny Bragg
THE FAREWELL POLKA - 2:57 - Phil Mathieu
FORGIVE AND FORGET - 4:38 - Ruth Logsdon
ONE MORE LIE - 3:31 - Joe Romero
I'M SATISFIED - 2:13 - Billy Hancock
FIST CITY - 2:21 - Loretta Lynn
IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO - 2:16 - Ruth Logsdon
Ruthie and the Wranglers
Ruth Logsdon - vocals, rhythm guitar
Phil Mathieu - lead guitar also acoustic rhythm guitar, electric rhythm guitar, mandolin
Mark Noone - bass, backing vocal also acoustic rhythm guitar, piano
Joel App - drums
Special Guests
Jon Ozment - piano on FORGIVE AND FORGET
Patty Reese - harmony IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO
Produced by - Mark Noone
MUSICIANS
Mason Ruffner - guitar, vocals
Dave smith - bass, background vocals, arrangement on RULER OF THE WORLD
Bo Harris - drums (except where noted)
Parker Card - organ ( except where noted), background vocals
Art Edmaiston - saxophone
Scott Thompson - trumpet
Charlie Wood - piano
Mark Avsec - organ (2, 4, 5, 6, ,8, 13)
Michael Ramos - organ (3)
Joel Duhon - drums (3, 4)
Kevin Eddy - maracas (1)