Heybale

The Last Country Album

Shuffle 5 Records

At one point in time, Heybale could have been called a super-group of sorts. Pianist Earl Poole Ball has worked with Johnny Cash, Buck Owens, Gram Parsons and played on The Byrd's seminal Sweetheart Of The Rodeo album. Lead guitarist Redd Volkaert spent six years in Merle Haggard's band, while bassist Kevin Smith tours with Dwight Yoakam, and drummer Tom Lewis performs with Raul Malo. That leaves lead singer Gary Claxton, who is really the true shining star in the band. His vocals are downright devastating. He has the deep soul that has always made country the workingman's blues, and is instantly appealing. Like so many other of the style's all-time greats, Claxton sounds like nobody but himself, and has the strength of human spirit that cannot be denied. If "House of Secrets" doesn't send a jolt of sorrow up your spine, then it's time see some kind of specialist asap. Even better, Gary Claxton writes them as fine as he sings them. No wonder the group had the guts to call this The Last Country Album. They just might be right.