Cimarron 615 – self-titled
This is the quartet’s 2nd LP & between them Jack Sundrud, Rick Lonow & Michael Webb (all from Poco) & Ronnie Guilbeau (the Flying Burrito Brothers & Palomino Road) have a rich history. Along with those credits, each has a resume of session work with name artists.
There are 12 fluid self-produced tracks recorded in Nashville & Hendersonville, TN on Cimarron 615 (Drops Feb 28/Blue Elan Records/49:19). A bit of the California country splendor is in the mix — closer to Poco than The Eagles. Cimarron 615 players each have the advantage of trading off on lead vocals. It keeps their showcase varied.
The songs may not immediately grab their ears the way Poco songs did, but Cimarron 615 isn’t trying to reproduce another era.
There’s no big production like “Crazy Eyes,” but the feel, attitude & country distinction is genuine. “Time Keeps Slipping Away From Me,” is quite the appropriate tune for fans of this music who enjoyed the music of bands like Poco, the James Gang, Pure Prairie League & Seatrain. To experience that “sound” again, refreshed & reinvigorated without the nostalgia — nice.
“Fallin’” is a melody drizzle with lovely piano, guitars & charming, graceful vocals in a well-nurtured arrangement. Turning the heat up a bit for a country-rocker as tight as anything Goose Creek Symphony slathered together is “Butte La Rose.” It takes a swipe at Tex-Mex mixed generously with a California country harmonic dalliance that’ll pin your ears back as you reach for that chilled Pabst Blue Ribbon.
The songs are dance in your socks good. Everything’s as prominent as those older bands. The varied lead vocals keep the flow transitioning with sonic whims. “Make It Right Or Make It Wrong” has a light touch Rolling Stones contour that spills from the speakers. It’s as convincing a country-rocker as an outtake from “Exile On Main Street.”
The songs are good but not because they’re clever & heavy-duty. Instead, they’re simple in that manner that isn’t always easy to compose. “I Know Better” is nothing special except for the driving musical tradeoffs & interplay between the guitars, piano & drums. Exquisite & weaved together by skilled musicians. “The Truth” meanders in on a harmonica, deep guitar notes & haunting vocal while “Twisted Tied & Tangled” comes off with John Prine’s cleverness & craftiness. Nice stuff for sure.
Highlights – “Time Keeps Slipping Away From Me,” “Fallin’” “Butte La Rose,” “Make It Right Or Make It Wrong,” “I Know Better,” “The Truth,” “Twisted Tied & Tangled” & “Go To Battle.”
Musicians – Jack Sunrud (bass/acoustic guitar/vocals/bgv), Michael Webb (piano/electric piano/Hammond organ/synth/accordion/mandolin/bass/rhythm guitar/vocals/bgv) Rick Lonow (drums/percussion/vocals/bgv/marimba) & Ronnie Guilbeau (lead, rhythm & acoustic guitars/vocals/bgv) with Aubrey Richmond (fiddle), Paco Shipp (harmonica) & Mike Daly (pedal steel guitar).
Color image courtesy of Blue Elan Records. A 12-page stitched lyric insert is included. CD @ Bandcamp & https://cimarron615.com/
Video Premiere: Cimarron 615 “High”
