Pug Johnson – El Cabron
This interesting country artist is Texas-based & brings to the microphone a hearty musical soup of Cajun music, swamp pop, Tex-Mex, Texas swing & honky-tonk with a pinch of dark humor & an everyman approach developed into witty songwriting. The LP title is a devious character with a drapery that finds this Cabron taking a long drive from sin to redemption.
11 narratives step into the world of drugs, alcohol & women. Produced & recorded in Texas by Ryan Johnson (percussion), Paul Walker (guitars/vocals) & Pug Johnson (vocals/guitars) El Cabron (Drops March 28/Break Maiden/Thirty Tigers Records/39:51) is a word with many slang meanings. The literal meaning is “male goat” but it’s an insulting word similar to badass, bastard, or simply dude.
The songs are a soundtrack that would seep through the cracks of the roadhouse walls, dance halls & juke joints. Strap yourself in…it’s going to be a fun ride. This singer has lots of quirky personality with a countrified vocal that sounds like a young lanky guy who pipes up at social dances because at least his singing has character like Jimmie Dale Gilmore.
“Big Trains” has a bit of New Orleans Dixieland mixed with a country & western tonality. Peculiar but entertaining. The title track “El Cabron” is a cool little tale much the same as the novelty song “Speedy Gonzales” but not as silly. The playing is exceptional & impressive. Whether the album will catch mainstream ears remains to be seen. It has a lot to recommend. With the Tex-Mex oriented “Buy Me a Bayou,” it has that individuality that’s often found in songs by The Texas Tornados & Mr. Gilmore.
The tune “Thanks To The Cathouse (I’m In the Doghouse With You)” is a cover of a song done by a few country artists (Johnny Paycheck, Waylon Jennings). But here it takes on a strong Texas Tornadoes Tex-Mex aroma. It’s well done. Pug turns toward Moon Mullican’s “Pipeliner Blues” with its mid-‘50s country gossamer all over the performance. Sounds like a rockabilly song Elvis would’ve had fun with. Impressive.
The most serious piece in the set is “Change Myself Today” – quite an intense song made stronger by the quirky vocal since it’s not sung glossed over with vocal range & overproduction. Many songs in this set are good — though they’re basic. This tune isn’t. It’s reflective, poignant & exceptional.
Highlights – “Big Trains,” “El Cabron,” “Buy Me a Bayou,” “Thanks To The Cathouse (I’m In the Doghouse With You),” “Pipeliner Blues,” “Last Call,” “Change Myself Today” & “Time Well Wasted.”
Musicians – Jason Baczynski (drums), Josh Hoag (bass), Caleb Melo (pedal steel), Jan Flemming (piano/organ/accordion), Ryan Johnson (percussion), Latricia Badgett (vocals), Cody Braun (fiddle), Paul Deemer (trumpet/trombone), Brian Donahoe (tenor sax/clarinet), Josh Levy (baritone sax) & Donovan Bourque (accordion).
CD cover photography courtesy of Lyza Renee. CD at Bandcamp + Apple & https://pugjohnson.com/home
love the horns, some Beck and John Prine in there too. All aboard!