Hillbilly
Savants – Lil Shack (Independent)
Hillbilly Savants are a four-piece
roots-country-blues band from Austin, Texas, led by singer-songwriter Woody
Price (he also plays guitar and mandolin). The other guys, JJ Barrero (bajo
sexto, vocals), Mike Roberson (bass, vocals) and Jasper Cronin (guitar, vocals)
bring a wealth of experience to the band, with CVs that include touring and
recording experience with various Texas legends and international artists,
including Santiago Jimenez Jr. and the Tailgators, Joe Ely, Ponty Bone, Calvin
Russell and RC Banks. I don’t think it’s an overstatement to say they represent
some of the crème of the Austin roots scene.
Price has two previous albums under his belt (“Damn
Near Broke” and “Diesel and Desire”), but “Lil Shack” is the band’s debut, and
it’s a damn near irresistible concoction of Texas styles, guaranteed to fill
the dancefloor, or at the very least, put a smile on your face. Price sings his
songs with plenty of gnarly twang, and the band play like they thoroughly
enjoying themselves throughout. That sort of unbridled enthusiasm is extremely
catching, and on upbeat numbers such as “Barrio to the
Bayou” and “Le Petite Brigand”, don’t be
surprised to find yourself subconsciously jigging about. That’s no bad thing, but
expect some odd looks if you’re listening on the bus to work at 7:30 in the
morning.
Simon M.
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