Ed Bruce – After Hours
This set from the late Ed Bruce (1939-2021) is a touching final effort from the Arkansas-born artist/actor/songwriter. A touch of rockabilly, country & outlaw country dominated his repertoire throughout his career. Some listeners may never have heard Ed, but this is the man who wrote & recorded the classic “Mamma’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” (which later became a major hit for Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings).
He’s another of the artists who were brought along by Sun Records’ Sam Phillips (Elvis, Johnny Cash/Jerry Lee Lewis/Carl Perkins/Roy Orbison). Mr. Bruce also recorded for several major labels & famed smaller labels. Aside from his recording, he penned songs for Tommy Roe, Tanya Tucker, Crystal Gayle & Charlie Louvin.
While his career & personality weren’t as intense as the names mentioned Ed had many varied hits (he charted 41 times including a #1 country song) & several songs he wrote were hits for other artists. No mean feat.
This posthumous LP features 16 originals for After Hours (Drops May 10/Music Row Talent Records/Old Hat Productions). Previously unreleased (13) with 2 remixes from earlier demo recordings & one live cut. The showcase was produced by friends/songwriters Mike Morgan & Jeff Elliott.
This is a look back at Ed Bruce who cleverly dabbled in various musical genres. The material covers many topics – sad, somber, mellow, jazzy lounge-inspired (“After Hours”) & humor-inflected Mexican-themed tight-up-tempo storytelling (“Who Wrote Her Name On the Wall,”). He had expressive Nashville-oriented country & bluesy balladry. Ed’s lyrics are always a focus of each composition.
For country singers who don’t write their own, Mr. Bruce would be a motherlode. There were others – Larry Weiss (“Rhinestone Cowboy”) but Bruce’s talent was writing a straight-ahead lyric with few spangles & hoi-polloi. I’m not big on humor in country songs but Bruce manages to glide over without touching the novelty rim.
The production sparkles. It’s country, plain & simple. Some are typical strong cowboy coffee (from a pot like the one on TV’s “Gunsmoke”). All memorable in their way. Another artist similar to Ed who never was a major player, but was a respected songwriter was the deep-voiced late Tony Joe White (“Polk Salad Annie”). Ed’s tune “Good Jelly Jones,” milks that tradition. Ed nailed it as a writer, storyteller & vocalist — with skill. Great song & performance.
Highlights – “What’s a Girl Like You Not Doin’ Here,” “Who Wrote Her Name On the Wall,” “After Hours,” “Good Jelly Jones,” “Mamma’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” – Live Version & a tribute to Waylon Jennings with “The Outlaw.”
CD @ Bandcamp & https://www.edbrucemusic.com/