MP3 Honky Tonk Train - Honky Tonk Train
Americana, roots country, exquisite duet vocals, extraordinary pedal steel guitar, great original songs from the traditional to the avant-garde "You Don''t Know Jack", produced by Dwight Yokam drummer, Mitch Marine.
10 MP3 Songs in this album (32:59) !
Related styles: COUNTRY: Americana, COUNTRY: Outlaw Country
People who are interested in Bob Dylan Johnny Cash The Flying Burrito Brothers should consider this download.
Details:
The History
One cold wet night, in a sexier time, there existed a honky-tonk called the Golden bear. Two underage teenagers, Jane Allingham and Bill Maresh, snuck in this forbidden palace of jilted lovers and jaded royalty to catch a glimpse of a shooting star, a mythical figure straight out of their waking dreams. In his pink Nudie suit, Gram Parsons took the stage and never left. Their young minds wide open, they knew right then, they would play music and never stop.
What transpired is nothing short of a miracle; in the audience that night there were eleven other people. What''s so odd about this auspicious beginning of the formation of Honky Tonk Train was neither Bill or Jane knew each other at the time of their epiphany. Some months later drawn by the spirit of Gram, Jane picked up a lone hitchhiker on the road to nowhere - it was Bill, the local high school prodigy, skilled in the arts of guitar, banjo and other musical instruments taught to him by the gods.
He was just trying to get some inspiration, man. They shared each other''s side of the fire that hung the moon that night and the rest is history. In the Elysian Fields of mercy, just this side of nowhere, the Honky Tonk Train combines the east to west from south to north, two new gems shine in the dark all around you. The compass spins round and round, where it stops nobody knows. They go together like sex and TV, one feeds off the other, hungry for the chance. Everywhere they go, you''ll never see them apart. Music is their magic and the smallest noise will set off an avalanche. Lay that tie, hit that spike, the Honky Tonk Train''s coming home tonight.
THE MUSIC
Two diamonds in the rough found in the abandoned mine fields of Wyoming are boarding the Honky-Tonk. On their CD release the Honky Tonk Train carries a heavy load of originals that will blow your mind and wipe your slate clean. The band includes Bill Maresh on vocals, pedal steel, and electric guitar sent by the Gods to take the pain away. His partner, Jane Allingham, (Calamity Jane to you and me), on vocals and rhythm guitar, robs you of your last breath as she plants her feet steadily on the ground belting out a style that will make you take back stuff you didn''t steal. From major to minor, from Indian Reservation to New York City, from Nashville Tn. to New Orleans, no train has carried such a precious load.
Copyright 2008 Craig Stark
COUNTRY MUSIC ON LINE MAGAZINE: German Review (rough translation)
Honky Tonk Train plays a kind of music, which moves between Country & Western, Rockabilly and great pieces of original music...The band includes Bill Maresh on vocals, pedal steel guitar and electric guitar. Jane Allingham, vocal and rhythm guitar. Bill has applied his talents on session work for Jack Clement of Memphis Sun Studio fame, as well as contributing backup vocals on the Johnny Cash album "Mystery of Life". More recently you can check out Bill''s pedal steel guitar playing on Dwight Yoakam''s CD "Blame the Vain" on the cut "I''ll Pretend" "which rings out". The album was produced by no less than Dwight''s drummer Mitch Marine, with acoustic guitar touches by Keith Gattis and upright bass by Dave Roe (former Johnny Cash bassist)... ... ..."This CD remains for me in the proverbial sense the Spuke away. Unbelievably, Sowas!!! Their version of the Johnny Cash song "All Over Again" might be enough in order to convince you. Sowas, genuinely!!!... ... ....The guitar is point, the lady possesses a strong voice with harmony site each clay/tone...Himmlisch!!!"
LETTER FROM A FAN
Dear Honky Tonk Train,
Hope this finds you well. I am a tremendous fan and wonder what''s going on with you all. Are you touring? New recording projects? I have been enjoying your record with more enthusiasm than, in all honesty, about any record that''s come across my transom in some time. Now, I should probably explain the use of the word "transom". I''m just a fan of Spinal Tap and it''s probably best left at that. What ever your present state is, I would just like to express how much I''ve enjoyed the record you all made. It is a beautiful document, a real masterpiece, and a fitting tribute to the tradition it serves, both past and future. Anyone with any sense or taste would give their eyeteeth to make a record within a country of this one.
Thanks for the record, and hopefully, you might be making your way to Cincinnati, OH sometime. If so, I''ll be the lunatic screaming "yeah!" after every number.
---Your fan, Tim
BRYAN FARRIS RADIO REVIEW: June Caldwell/Santa Monica CA
Honky Tonk Music at it''s finest, portrayed flawlessly, primarily through the great, female vocal presence. The music is layered wonderfully with the guitar, rhythm and pedal steel, played to the utmost perfection, with subtle intricacies, and stand out melodies. The music delivers a certain catchiness, reminiscent of an early, female version of Johnny Cash or Townes Van Zandt. The vocal trade off between Jane and Bill makes for a very diverse and intelligently crafted album. The songs are upbeat, sung with heartfelt lyrics, setting anyone''s mindset into the heart of Honky Tonk Train.
"RAILROAD DAYS"- Great layered song with an upbeat melody, and wonderful vocal tonality.
"TELL ME THAT IT ISN''T TRUE"- Fantastic harmonies, accompanied by multiple layers, and a great addition of
drums.
"YOU DON''T KNOW JACK"- Ambient intro leading you into a very full country rockabilly sound.