4th & Goal

Terry Baucom’s Dukes of Drive

2017 - John Boy & Billy, Inc. I have heard so much hype about this album that when I received it I was so eager to take a listen.  I am not one to believe in all the hype, especially when it comes to an album, because majority of the time all the hype is just a promotional gimmick.  This is the case with this album.  I will admit that Terry and the Dukes are exceptional pickers and performers and it’s backed with their instrumental “Winslow.” Nonetheless, there is something about this album that turns me off and I have to refer to the mix.  At times the infusion of instrumentals out weighs those of the vocals.  There are several songs on this album where the instrumental volume over powers that of the vocalist, therefore you can not hear the lyrics as you are drawn more towards the melodies. This is one album that you have to have the volume at the lowest possible setting to enjoy it.  If I look past the amplification of the volume on the melodies and take a closer look at the lyrics, I find some incredible songs on here.  As the album is, I can only recommend that the group re-records this album or that other artists seek the songs for their own albums.  A perfect example of this statement is found in “Around The Corner.” This is a beautiful and well written song that a group like Trinity River Band could easily master.  This album consists of nine songs and one cover of The Osborne Brothers 1970 song “Charlie Cotton.”  Other songs include “Carolina Any Day,” “Oak Ridge, Tennessee,” and a wonderful song attributed to the truckers called “On The Road Forever.”  The group includes a non-traditional Gospel song with “What Will They Say About You.”  Perhaps the best song on this album is a song that captures a great historical account with “Mary’s Rock.”  Again, I would love to hear Terry or some other group re-record this song.  Lots of times I come across an album that would be simply beautiful if only people would have done their jobs correctly.  I use studio quality headphones to listen to these albums and if I can pick this up—you better believe that the engineer had to hear it too! $$-$$+

 (This review was printed in the September / October 2017 issue of Strictly Country Magazine.)

Click on image to purchase.

Related Articles:

2017 CD Coaster Award...

Terry Baucom: 4th & Goal...