The title of this disc accurately describes Knut Bell's music - a mix of honky-tonk and hillbilly country with a solid dose of rockabilly to liven things up. Nine of the tracks were written by Bell, whose booming deep voice instantly reminded me of one of the all-time greats, Sleepy LaBeef. He writes about drinkin', semi-trucks, women, cheatin', honkytonks, and being lonesome - the staples of great country songs.
But Bell has a unique perspective, as evidenced in the opening track "Donita," a song about a woman who "teases with her ruby red lips..." but also has "... caked-on blue eye shadow and piercings everywhere". The song features some nice picking from guitarist Adam Bratman. "Gizzards N' Beer" starts off as a rocker but quickly shifts into a country anthem highlighting Bell's preference for unwinding at the end of the work week with a healthy dose of both of these dietary staples.
Bell has included plenty of tunes devoted to women and relationships. In one, the love of his life decides to move on, sparking Bell to ponder that coal trains and his baby are forever gone and all that remains is a "Good Country Song". Another highlight is "Pour Me Another" about a man who lost his farm to the bank, which cost him his family and now the sawmill is closing because of an endangered species. No wonder he asks for another and requests "...and then pour me away". If that doesn't work, then Bell will make a trip to the "Local Yokel Lounge," where "it looks like the wild West when country comes to town". Bratman tears it up on guitar with some hot rockabilly licks.
The three cover tunes include a less than politically correct "Chick Inspector", a straight remake of the Mel Tillis penned "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town" and a Johnny Cash original "So Doggone Lonesome", which proves that Bell and the band can nail the true country style.
Bell sticks to basic instrumental support with his flat-top guitar, Andrew See on bass and Steve Smith on drums along with Bratman on electric guitar. That allows listeners to focus on his rousing vocals and this batch of quality songs. I wish Bell had included a couple of more tunes of equal quality as the disc is a bit short for the CD format. All in all, a very solid recording from Mr. Bell and band, who deserve a listen if you like real down-to-earth country music with a rockabilly twist.
