RootsTown Music Magazine

Marc Nolis

           Half a star more because this Texan singer-songwriter defies pigeonholing. Coming from the Texan Hill Country, Michael doesn't give a damn and floats from folk to blues, from songwriter stuff to jazz. Producer Ray Wylie Hubbard probably found this an interesting idea and brought Paul Pearcy, Glenn Fukunaga, Mike Cross and Terri Hendrix with him. As such, there's nothing to worry about instrumentally, but what about the songs. Lyrically Michael seems to be very much at ease, but musically I think he's better off sticking to his own songs.

            The ordinary bluesrock version of Willie Dixon's "Same Thing" (the only cover) is one of those, like we call it, thirteen in a dozen. But the jazzy blues and gospel of "That Ain't Right" sounds extremely fine (certainly the organ and the wooly guitar) to these ears. The down-to-earth acoustic "West Memphis Blues" is country all over with the raw harp blows, and there's some lose rocking in "The One Who Waits For You" and "Leavin' Town." On the folky side, there's "Prince Charming" and the enormously enjoyable opening track "Slips Through Your Fingers." The soft "A Hundred and Four Degrees" benefits from Eamon McLoughlin's violin playing, which is also one of the highpoints in "Green and Blue" and "Ballad of Jack Sullivan" (some mighty fine dobro work from Jeff Plankenhorn too). To complete the colorful picture, Michael shows us what a fine guitar player he is in the jazzy, swinging instrumental "Ranch Road 12."

            Again, a new talent you should try to discover. It'll be worth your while.