APRIL/MAY ‘96 NUMBER 16

REVIEW OF: BOBBY MACK & NIGHT TRAIN

HONEYTRAP (Palindrome)

Texas keeps serving up hot roadhouse blues artists; last year it was Alan Haynes and Bert Wills, now this year (recording-wise, any-how) it’s Bobby Mack & Night Train. The usual winning Texas bluesman formula is her again-- hot and sweaty guitar-pickin’ with that easily identifiable Texas flavor, natural smooth vocals, a killer band, and top notch original music. So, Mack has got everything he needs to be a bona-fide star; he can sing, play and write, and he’s been on the Texas scene for over 20 years. It sure sounds like his time is here. Palindrome has two releases so far and they’re both winners; the Wilie Foster CD (reviewed elsewhere in this Hot Discs section) and now this baby. Mack and band actually back up Foster on his CD and do a magnificent job. Besides Mack on guitar and vocals, we have Mark Goodwin on keyboards and vocals, Jimmy Pate on drums and Larry Lutz on bass with guest artist Kim Wilson on harp.

Of the 13 tracks, just 2 are standards ("That’s Alright" and "Easy Baby") and the other 11 are either brand new of obscure enough to seem new. There’s a southern rock influence and certainly an unmistakable Stevie Ray Vaughan influence but Mack is smart enough to not let it get carried away. There’s enough standout tracks here to make this CD a genuine "Boot-to-the-head" surprise- "Honeytrap," "Come Back Baby," "Promise Me Love," and Driving’ Sideways" are all convincingly tough workouts that almost guarantee Bobby Mack and Night Train an uphill future. Once again Texas tuns out another big-time guitarist and band. 4 bottles for a very enjoyable debut CD. More Texas dynamite.

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