Various Artists,
Texas Unplugged, Vol. 1

Label: Palo Duro Records
Year: 2004

(3 out of 5)

Hot on the heels of the Americana Music Association's successful This Is Americana sampler—not to mention the numerous Texas anthologies released over the past few years—Palo Duro Records seeks to spotlight its Texas artists with Texas Unplugged, Vol. 1.

As with most label compilations, the results are uneven. Given the acoustic nature of the project, the sound varies widely from track to track. But those tracks that do work are well worth the price of the album.

The first real standout is Ed Burleson honky-tonking it up on "The Way You've Been Treating Me." That is followed by another highlight, the mellower "Dark Black Irish Eyes" by Houston Marchman. Sisters Morales turn in the best track with their trademark beautiful harmonies on the ethereal "Even the Rain." Tommy Alverson closes the anthology with a rocking rendition of "Texas Woman."

Most of the remaining tracks are okay, with just a few clunkers: Terri Hendrix's over-the-top cynicism on "Clicker," Eleven Hundred Springs' muddled vocals on "Kick Me When I'm Down," and the steel drum-heavy "Welcome to Paradise" by Larry Joe Taylor.

Other artists with contributions are TC Taylor, Mike McClure, Becca Dalrymple, Deryl Dodd, and Brian Burns.

Palo Duro plans a second volume of Texas Unplugged in fall 2005.

Buy: Amazon

November 1, 2004