DAVID BALL Amigo

On Amigo, David Ball dabbles in western swing, Tex-Mex, swaying Jimmy Buffett folk-rock, and gently paced story songs. He covers Merle Haggard's "Trying Not to Love You." Whatever style he takes on though, there's an air of authenticity to David Ball's approach, and that's what makes AMIGO so appealing.

Review: Though he sports a cowboy hat and once did time on a major label, David Ball is no "hat act." Even on an independent label, he still manages to get his albums into the country and pop charts, he writes most of his songs, plays with a real band instead of a bunch of clock-watching Nashville studio rats, and most importantly, he plays real country music. Still, to peg Ball as a traditionalist would be a mistake; though he covers Merle Haggard's "Trying Not to Love You" on AMIGO, he's not really a honky-tonker. Over the course of the album, he dabbles in western swing, Tex-Mex, swaying Jimmy Buffett folk-rock, and gently paced story songs. Whatever style he takes on though, there's an air of authenticity to David Ball's approach, and that's what makes AMIGO so appealing. ~ Ebay

David Ball's 1988 debut was sweet and melodic, complete with yodeling and a beguiling, light-on-its-feet traditionalism. Following his 1994 Top 10 single, "Thinkin' Problem," he wound up lost in the hat-act shuffle, which, had he stuck with it, would probably have destroyed his integrity as it had that of so many others. Amigo returns Ball to his Southwestern roots. The title song, which he co-penned with Kostas, has a '40s feeling that sets the tone for the entire record. Other Ball-authored material is just as fine, particularly "Missing Her Blues," the yodelfest "Texas Echo," and the gutsy gospel of "When the Devil Wants to Wrestle." Ball also includes a masterful interpretation of Merle Haggard's loungy "Trying Not to Love You" and demonstrates his flawless taste in vintage material, recasting the 1920s pop hit "Linger Awhile" as fetching, acoustic-driven Western swing and the classic "Just Out of Reach" as a waltz. He may not be swimming in gold and platinum discs nowadays, but with a package this artistically satisfying under his belt, who cares? ~ Amazon

Songs/Tracks:

1. Amigo
2. Missing Her Blues
3. She Always Talked About Mexico
4. Riding With Private Malone
5. Whenever You Come Back To Me
6. Loser Friendly
7. Linger Awhile
8. Trying Not To Love You
9. New Shiner Polka
10. Texas Echo
11. Swing Baby
12. Just Out Of Reach
13. When The Devil Wants To Wrestle

File Under: Country - Keyword: Merle Haggard, Jimmy Buffett

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