Cimarron 615 – Same Sky
Coming across as a spatially rejuvenated exponent of Poco, the Eagles, Mason Proffit, Flying Burrito Brothers, & a ‘70s Epic Records country band West (“Just Like Tom Thumbs Blues,” “Six Days On the Road”). Nashville’s Cimarron 615 has those bands’ agility with their music. It’s a nice showcase of countrified tunes with varied vocals in the tradition of that genre, but never sounding corny, reprocessed, or corporate-created. Not as heavy-handed as the Medlocke band Blackfoot, but at times really frying the notes on some lead guitar solos.
There are 12 brightly functional numbers on their 3rd album Same Sky (Drops August 7/Blue Elan Records/49:05) produced by the band. Tunes aren’t arranged to sound like any of those other artists, but they’re watered in the same orchid. “Your Turn Now,” “Comet In the Sky,” has some nice creative touches & “Praying To Saint Rita” slides into home base as a tight rocker, good drum snaps, bellowing bass & aggressive vocals — quite appealing.
“Aruba” is the surprise for me. It has an undercurrent of island music ala Jimmy Buffett & distinctive reggae splashes with whiplash drumming, shoving trombone notes & party vocals, making this a real highlight. Jim Hoke (horn arrangements/saxes), Jim Hinchey (trombone) & Steve Herrman (trumpet), & Rick Lonow (drums/percussion/vocals)…put it all in a gold frame. Humorous lyrics, infectious performance throughout. This is superb.
“Hard Way To Make a Living” falls back musically into a Rolling Stones-type dirty sweet blues but vocally with a more Subdudes tenacity. Cimarron 615 has a good feel for diversified tunes without straying too far from their workable themes. This track has some fat lead guitar notes & thudded drum fills. This band is never boring.
There are some tunes dipped liberally into a more soul structure that gives off a scent of The Meters or Tower of Power with a more country tang. And others are heavily drenched in country banjo that recalls early Taj Mahal. “River Road” dives into Tex-Mex with its accordion sauce, sweet barrelhouse piano saloon notes & guitar drive. If CSN&Y were to try (with Neil Young’s assistance) a deeper fortification of country music, they may have sounded like this. But they only tempted it once with Young’s “Country Girl.” “Broken & Blue” is a slow accordion-led ballad & the most beautiful melody on the collection.
Highlights – “Your Turn Now,” “Comet In the Sky,” “Praying To Saint Rita,” “Aruba,” “Hard Way To Make a Living,” “River Road,” “Broken & Blue,” & “World Slidin’ Down.”
Musicians – Ronnie Guilbeau (lead vocal/lead & rhythm guitars/acoustic guitar), Michael Webb (Hammond B-3/Farfisa organ/piano/electric piano/12-string electric guitar/acoustic, electric & rhythm guitars/lead vocals/harmonica/mandolin/accordion), Jack Sundrud (bass/lead vocals), Mike Daly (pedal steel guitar/dobro), & Matt Manalee (banjo).
A 12pp stitched lyric insert is included. Color image courtesy of the band’s Bandcamp. CD @ Bandcamp & https://cimarron615.com/music & https://blueelan.com/blogs/news/cimarron-615-releases-new-album-same-sky