For every indifferent country music release filing out of
Nashville, it doesn’t take too much searching to find a golden nugget elsewhere
truly subservient to the heritage and prestige of the genre. California has
frequently been a hotbed for country music, often in a revisionist capacity.
Whether within the urban confines of LA or the less refined surroundings of
Bakersfield, the Golden State possess a fine pedigree and this latest project under
the banner of California Roots Union is a further leap in the right direction.
Grant Langston has long been associated with the far west community despite
being raised a true southerner and has successfully captured the melting pot of
his influences in a recording career well into its second decade. HOPE YOU’RE
HAPPY NOW is a slight diversion from his recent releases in overall style, but
matches up exceedingly well in the quality stamp of authenticity.
Whereas two of his previous records, STAND UP MAN (2009) and WORKING UNTIL I DIE (2012) were driven by a prominent honky tonk sound, this time it’s a more melancholic Langston tuning into a sad song wavelength with many a thoughtful sentiment. This smashing and thoroughly satisfying album basks in swathes of pedal steel amidst a dozen alluring tracks showcasing an adroit song writer and musician with the nous to steer the ship through the rough seas of change to calmer traditional waters.
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| Photo by Duff Ferguson |
If you want a lesson in how to grab a listener’s attention
with the first hook, Langston perfectly executes it with the marvellously
memorable opening line ‘I bought us a couple of whiskeys, you look like you
could use a drink’. The next three and a half minutes drip with absolute 24
carat country gold as ‘Drive’ nails
the moment and delivers a song for all seasons, ages and time. Of course it
would be remiss of you to quit after one song, but if you did stall, there is no
finer stopping point. The wise amongst you will trawl through the next eleven
tracks calling at several strategic highpoints to ensure the challenge set by
the opener is not too daunting. The superb, almost part spoken, ‘Breaking Hearts’ is another sterling
steel infested effort as is a stunning peak towards the album’s finale in the
classic ‘I Work Too Hard’.
A significant slice of this record is played out on piano
spreading that laid back California vibe to all and sundry in scintillating
effect. This harks back to the golden age of singer song writing with
substantial country twang adding up to a record relentlessly swimming around your
mind with barely a few plays under its belt. ‘Don’t You Dare’ leads the way in the unashamed throwback stakes, while
‘Me and Margaret’ is a distinguished
effort played out in a theatrical mode coupled with an upbeat mood. Occasionally, the record glides into a
slightly rockier direction with a soft guitar groove underpinning ‘Born to Ride’ and a quainter tune in ‘Fading Fast’ housing the album’s prime
guitar solo, while easing into a pool of tantalising twang.
From a man who once immortalised Shiner Bock and Vicodin
into a never to be forgotten song title, the writing of Grant Langston had
already been carved in vinyl. This latest release has taken its inspiration from
the Willie Nelson concept album PHASES AND STAGES highlighting Langston’s
desire to continually seek directional influence for his work and there is no
better source than delving into the vaults of a master. HOPE YOU’RE HAPPY NOW
serves as the perfect refuge for real country music seekers and confirms
Grant Langston as one of the good guys who makes records to match the passion
for his craft.
