March 19, 2003
5 out of 5 stars
Last train Home were one of my favourite discoveries of last year. A thoroughly professional band producing tasteful country music with plenty of commercial potential yet without bowing to an overly commercial approach. Their repertoire demonstrates a trademark blend of country and rock with leanings towards blues and soul and that is very much still evident in their latest release "Time and Water". Added to that, you'd have to travel many a mile to locate another combination of such talented musicians: guitars, dobro and steel, mandolin, banjo and the smooth warm vocals of lead singer Eric Brace form a remarkable combination. Building on their recent success and critical acclaim they haven't shaken things up a great deal, applying the theory that: "if it ain't broke don't fix it". There is a magical mix of gentle honky tonk, swing, blues and bluegrass all wrapped up in a polished but emotive sound.
Opening with the gently swaying "Lorelei" the Last Train Home style is established from the outset, everything sounds just like it was meant to be where it is, nothing wasted, nothing half baked nor overcooked. "Quarter to 3" features some bluesy railcar harmonica from Alan Brace and some astonishing guitar flourishes from brother Eric and as the album unfolds we find more and more names added to the cartload of incredible players that grace this set. "All Right Okay" allows for Bill Williams to fire up the dobro, proving that Jerry Douglas isn't the ONLY dobro-slinger in town, masterful and tasteful all in one. "Once in a While" takes on a bluesier country feel, while "He's the Kind" pays it's respects to the classic sixties Stax soul sound of Otis Redding with the classy punching brass flourishes and guitar economically practiced Steve Cropper style.
"Walls of Time" sounds like it comes from the pen of Buddy Miller, when in fact on closer inspection it's a reworking of the Bill Monroe/ Peter Rowan bluegrass classic. Without doubt this is the centrepiece of the album, a slight departure from the sound of the rest of the set, the rhythm is fired up and the vocal harmony combination of Eric Brace, Bill Williams and Forrest Wilhoit is perfect. A punchy saxophone and trumpet combo adds an edginess that sets the scene for some amazing slide guitar from Williams' talented digits. This is a showcase that underlines everything that is great about Last Train Home. The set closes in instrumental mode with "Las Lagrimas del Pollo Rico" Santana meets Calexico by way of Last Train Home with guitarist Karl Straub this time performing the nylon string pyrotechnics.
With this album Last Train Home further cement their reputation as one of the finest practitioners of melodic country rock. The song writing continues to dazzle, production is perfect yet, but once again it is the execution that they real score the marks. I'd travel long and far to witness these guys in action ? thoroughly professional and skilled at their art, yet exuding warmth and charisma with it.
In my previous review of their album 'Travelogue' I mentioned that I would like to hear more of their up tempo rock 'n' roll numbers, where they put themselves unashamedly on display?I mean If I had this kind of talent, I'd be up there wailing away the night!... for me they are still at their best with the truck driving honky tonkers like "Best Wishes" and the moody rockers like the awesome "Walls of Time", it livens things up and they do it so very well - but not often enough! That having been said, the generally understated nature of their performances serves as a tantalising taster and when you actually listen, I mean really listen, you hear such sparkling musical wizardry that at the end of the day you have to trust their judgement.
Classy!
-Doug Floyd, altcountrytab.com