American Folk: Slant 6 Cowboys' Slant 6 Cowboys

Folkster Greg Brown has joined the jump-country-blues band BR5-49! At least that’s what it sounds like as the Slant 6 Cowboys open up on their new self-titled album. Don Whitcher’s voice smokes just enough to call Greg Brown to mind, vocals that aren’t quite fluid, that crack and dip and mumble. The band move that country blues with a twang—slide guitars, mandolin, banjo, and dobro. It’s railroad, wagon train, county fair music that blows the top off the sideshow stage.

The Slant 6 Cowboys appear to be out of place in the American Folk section, but because of the immediate similarity with Greg Brown, these Country-influenced Rock guys land a little out of place. Beyond the Whitcher’s vocals, Whitcher and Peter James also lay down some slide guitar/dobro licks reminiscent of the incredible guitar work from Brown’s constant sidekick, Bo Ramsey. Brown’s folk style has always tended towards country blues, coming out of the hills of southern Iowa. So really, it isn’t a surprise to hear Greg Brown in the Slant 6 Cowboys.

Now, for those familiar with Greg Brown, you’ll probably be quick to say that the comparison was due to word association. Brown’s 1998 album was titled Slant 6 Mind, complimenting a woman with having a mind with the power of slant 6 engine. So, of course, I’d immediately think of Greg Brown when I see a band naming themselves for that same engine, cowboys hitching up all of that horsepower.

My friend, Jeremy, stopped by while I writing this review at Taco Bell. He picked up the CD case, looked at the inside photo of the Slant 6 Cowboys, and said, “I could never do what you do. I’m too picky.” You can’t judge music by the cover—especially indie music. Yeah, the Cowboys have kind of a cheesy photo on the inside of their CD cover, but who wants a slick photo shoot, flashy packaging, and a snazzy marketing campaign if the music sucks? What you get with the Slant 6 Cowboys, what Jeremy would’ve realized had he listened instead of just looked, is that this is some great music coming out of a little corner of America—even if it is Southern-soaked, Old West, AltCountry folky blues from. . .New Hampshire. Go figure, but listen well nonetheless.

Standout tracks include the opening song, “Badlands,” which could come right from Greg Brown’s Slant 6 Mind; the defiant, driving, sad love song, “Hearts Break,” with duet vocals from April Hobart; and “Your Man” with its invitation-to-dance introduction.

One final comparison between the Slant 6 Cowboys and Greg Brown. Greg Brown’s Poet Game featured the song “Jesus & Elvis,” comparing the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll and the King of Kings. The Slant 6 Cowboys close out their debut album with their own “Jesus and Elvis” about the lessons learned from the Kings while living on borrowed time. The song is a mellow blend of guitars that drifts away just like the character who is without direction in a border town, “somewhere on the edge again.”

Thanks to the Slant 6 Cowboys and 95North Records for the review CD.

Thanks to 95 North Records for giving me a shout out on their homepage.

The Pastor Speaks!! and we're honored that the legendary Pastor Ben Squires has seen the light of the Slant 6 Cowboys and added them to his music collection with a splendid review and insight. And read the other reviews from Pastor Ben Squires. He only likes really cool stuff!