Stoney Larue - Downtown

The rest of the CD can do the same with you, picking up the spirits or crashing an anvil on them. It's all the same to LaRue as he and the Organic Boogie band play with the same feeling from start to finish line. LaRue has the kind of voice that has as much energy and kick on the slower numbers as it does charisma on the faster tunes. Great songwriting from LaRue and some of his friends. From LaRue's solo writing on "Finelines" that admits "I can't blame my thoughts 'cause I just think 'em, And I can't blame my beer 'cause I just drink 'em". It actually works itself into a song of a couple searching for their space in the world "I Know me, and you know you, And together I think we can make it through the hard times....." A great song, but not to shadow the rest of this album.

I was really taken back by the simplicity of the lyrics and complex emotions at work. The CD makes you at some points think "I could have written that..." and you end up answering "So why didn't I." my answer is simple, LaRue seems to have the gift of taking life's experiences and putting them into words for everyman (every woman). Some of the tunes were co written by some greats on the scene in their own right. "Dirty Fightin' Love" and "Shot Full of Holes" were helped out by Jason Boland. While "Goin' To Austin" was co-penned by Cody Canada (Cross Canadian Ragweed). While "Heather Grows" and "Hey Sarah" are equally good and co-written by Larue's band mate Brad James and Mike McClure.

Other noteables are Bob Childer's "Dance With The Gypsies"  and Brandon Jenkins' (an Okie boy from Tulsa) tune "Feet Don't Touch The Ground". A solid CD with some great songs eight of the twelve at least co-written by LaRue. The recording took place at a private session at Cain's ballroom (The home of Bob Wills) in Tulsa. The rest of the Organic Boogie Band are Donnie Wood - bass and harmony vocals, Brad James did some singin' with his twangin' of the guitar, Doug Wehmeyer - drums and percussion, and Jack Wolfe on the keys. A great CD and a must have for the country music and alt-country fans.