There’s an old school approach to this music on Waylon Thibodeaux’s Here We Go Again. But it’s refreshing when an artist is wise enough to put a modern spin on the tunes. Louisiana’s Waylon Thibodeaux has a thin voice but it’s loaded with enthusiasm & moxie.
Wayne’s other-world fiddle is quite appropriate for 2020 (it doesn’t have that wooden vintage Appalachian fiddler of the 1800’s look). Nonetheless, Waylon ignites right out of the starting gate with the title song of his new LP “Here We Go Again.”
The only criticism: the song’s incessant repetition. However, that just may be part of its appeal. The album is on Rabadash Records (dropped Jan 17th).
The fiddle sawing is infectious & Waylon is proficient. “Fail, Fail, Fail,” has a cool upbeat melodic drive out of the Charlie Daniels tradition. A rollicking barrelhouse -type piano by John Autin, and a sharp concise beat. There are 3 drummers on this LP: Chris Lacinak, Randy Carpenter & Donnie Breland.
Benny Turner’s bass opens “I’m Stuck With the Blues Again,” & Waylon’s fiddle darts around with clear tonality. It’s the simplicity that appeals. No showboating, just standard back-country Delta precision. Johnny Sansone (harmonica), & Autin’s piano right under the current. The tunes aren’t in a Charlie Daniels country manner all the time. There’s a rich vein of pure old-fashioned rock & roll in the oats of Waylon’s music.
“When Love Comes Back,” is Huey Lewis inspired & more commercial than the early tracks but it maintains a dominant rocking fiddle sound. Somewhat reminiscent of the accomplished musicians like Bethnal’s electric violinist George Csapo, Seatrain’s Richard Greene & Patty Van Ness of Private Lightning.
There are tunes here that will remind one of the more prominent songs. “Blueberry Hill,” skips through Waylon’s “Our Life’s Another Old Blues Song,” but that melodic tweak doesn’t last long so it’s fine. Good Waylon swamp pop vocal.
Waylon covers some songs: J.J. Cale’s “Riverboat Song,” is done excellently. Edgar Winter’s “Way Down South,” (originally recorded by the Fabulous Thunderbirds) that has a spring-loaded Rocky Burnette edge to it. Maybe Waylon should cover “Tired of Toein’ The Line,” someday. Willie Nelson’s “Funny How Time Slips Away,” is done with sincerity.
There are 5 bass players & lead guitarists in residence. Not all are individually identified. Some songs border on novelty but that’s just an artist exercising his humor.
It’s easy to dismiss a band like this as a bar band but there’s a redeeming value to Thibodeaux’s showcase. The musicians are all proficient, tunes are tight & there’s hardly a boring moment. They’re having fun. If I were a name performer I’d hire Thibodeaux as my fiddler – he has a really nice way of playing. It embodies excitement without upstaging.
Like Papa John Creech & the Louisiana Man — Doug Kershaw. Waylon Thibodeaux’s in there – he could join that fraternity.
The 42-minute CD is available at iTunes.
*
Website: https://www.waylont.com/