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Often, when people think of “Texas Music” or “Texas Country”, they tend to think of the country-tinged rock of Reckless Kelly, the honky-tonk floor-stomping of Aaron Watson or the rock-flavored country of Randy Rogers. I will warn those folks to not overlook the gospel and delta flavored blues of Jason Eady (Official / Myspace). Eady’s new album, When the Money’s All Gone (Smith Music), is an excellent follow up to his Wild-Eyed Serenade disc from a couple of years back.
The first several songs of the album showcase a healthy variety of soulful blues stylings. “God Fearing Blues”, the lead single, employs a delta-vibe mixed with a gospel tone and gospel lyrical content, even if it’s rather irreverent. The title track cranks the amps up a tad with the blues-sound going electric, and then “Evangeline” dances over a tad to the west on the map as there is a distinct cajun/zydeco feel apparent in the arrangement. “Judgement Day” seems to roll the sounds of the previous songs into one, satisfying blues blend, as Eady ably tackles the material. As I just hinted, Eady’s voice is well-suited to the blues-leaning material. His vocal lacks a polish that doesn’t detract, but produces a rustic, authentic quality that never veers into mimicry.
While it’s apparent that Eady relishes the smokey and dark blues tunes, I cant help but feel as though it’s the numbers that aren’t as “bluesy” where Eady’s skill as a recording artist really shines most brightly. In “Cry Pretty”, Eady is artfully literal as he sings his role in a conversation between him and an ex-lover who is clearly overcome with the emotions of running into him unexpectedly. When Eady sings, “did I ever tell you, you sure cry pretty“, and then follows with, “tears fall, dont leave a trace“, we are getting more than a first hand account of the meeting. We are being shown a picture as if we are actually witnessing the encounter ourselves. By finding out that the girl was crying in this fashion, versus simply being told that she was teary-eyed by a typical, bland lyric that all-too often merely explains the scenario and fails to truly import us into the setting, the song becomes human and more than just a simple story.
With 3 really solid albums under his belt, it’s clear that Eady is set to make a distinct mark in the realm of “Texas Country”. Soon, there will be many other new artists to come along and instead of trying so hard to sound like Ragweed, Boland, or Fowler, they might decide to try the “bluesy route” of Jason Eady.
About the author: I likes me some wine, women and waffles, not always in that order (but usually). Chaucer is cool, but fart jokes are even better. You feel like spikin' your country with a little soul or mix in a little rock without the roll? Lemme hear from ya!!