Technically this cleverly presented record is an
amalgamation of Cale’s two Ep releases to date which merge into a fully-fledged
style album for those hooking into the sound of an artist blessed with precise
interpretative skills. Whether this aptitude for absolute re-creation is
natural or nurtured by a lifelong schooling in classic country song writing,
the result drips, drools and oozes with a lethal cocktail of sombre, longing
and solo barroom odes. The seven tracks from HIGH AND LONESOME form the first
part of the album and possibly provide the pick of the numbers which will sear
your heart right from the opening listen.
Take your choice from ‘Old
Time Blues’, ‘Lonesome in Tennessee’
or the evocatively titled ‘Honky Tonk
Moan’ for standout track, but in all seriousness each of the magnificent
seven is a priceless gem on their individual merit. Swaying between foot
shuffling waltzes, pedal steel to die for and a vocal style drenched in a
wonderful emotion sapping twang, the experience of immersing yourself into this
record should contain a warning against reaching for the drinks cabinet.
The six tracks from the equally splendidly titled other EP, CHEATER’S
WINE, inhabit the second part of this record and far from being intimidated,
make a great case for rivalling the opening half. ‘Get out of Town’ and ‘Fool of
the Year’ head the best from this section as the rich vein of Gram Parsons
at his tear jerking country best is omnipresent through the sound and aura. The
fact that Cale has written all these songs suggests the classic art of penning
in the style of Williams, Parsons, Clarke, Nelson and Van Zandt is far from consigned
to the past. The recording of this music has also benefited from some of
Nashville’s finest players who have worked with esteemed artists such as Marty
Stuart, Don Williams, Caitlin Rose and Andrew Combs.
While Sturgill Simpson has been ripping through the wider
music world with a similar style, it has to be noted that Cale Tyson is a far
less complex version, but equally compelling in his ability to extract every
sinew of how country music is meant to be. Quite simply Cale is the real deal
and this supreme collection couldn’t be better put together to enthral an
audience thirsty for untainted, pure and iconic country music. The product, the
championing and the opportunity are all in place to make Cale Tyson a welcome
visitor to the UK and this record deserves every grain of adulation heading its
way.
