RAY WYLIE HUBBARD
Eternal And Lowdown (Philo)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Ray Wylie Hubbard calls this his "blues album," and that's as good an overall description as any, I suppose, but if that implies a set of standard 12 bar workouts to you, well, you're likely to be surprised. I'd be mighty surprised, though, if you could come away disappointed.

There's a somber tone to much of the material, as befits the blues, but it's more likely based in wistfulness than heartbreak (Ray is living proof that you can craft a quality blues sound while maintaining a happy and stable home life). The most conventional blues element is probably his slide guitar work, performed on a 70 year old resonator guitar, that provides the connecting link between his typical country folk and the country blues sound of Eternal And Lowdown.

As has become his habit, Hubbard provides some notes of regret for lost opportunity, some celebration of surviving hard times past and some spiritual musing. After all these years, and so many great songs, the most astonishing thing about this CD is Ray Wylie Hubbard's continuing abiltiy to find a fresh approach even to the most familiar subject. Eternal And Lowdown is another installment in the chronicles of an artist who continues to surprise and delight.

Track List:
Three Days Straight * The Sleep Of The Just * Mississippi Flush * Sugar Cane * Nighttime * Black Dog * Joyride * Weevils * Don't Bother Asking Me * Didn't Have A Prayer * After All These Years

© 2001 - Shaun Dale