Notes
DURWOOD HADDOCK/HONKY TONK CRAZY (AND OTHER LOVE SONGS) 2006 release and his third (THE TEXAS HONKY TONK BLUES and I REMEMBER JENNY LOU CARSON...also available on CD BABY. With a co-write on the '50s country hit 'There She Goes,' -- and with numerous road houses, recording sessions, and radio programs to his credit -- Durwood Haddock was right there in the hot crucible of honky tonk, long before it went all sepia-toned. But to have the old master still kicking around in 2007 could be conceived as little more than a curiosity or stab at nostalgia, were it not for the quality of Honky Tonk Crazy (And Other Love Songs). The album takes a real stripped-down approach toward arrangement and instrumentation, with acoustic guitar and Haddock's big sorrowful voice out front and light washes of violin, occasional piano plunks, and the rare electric-guitar twang fleshing out the more subtle hues. One has to wonder where Haddock has been hiding these 13 originals, for most neo-honky tonkers would give their eyeteeth for just one of these nuggets. Haddock, here at 72, proves himself to still be a top-notch purveyor of traditional country music. These are deeply hollowed-out and comfortable tracks, with Haddock's careworn, unpretentious vocal delivery (which is somewhere in the neighborhood of Merle Haggard's) leading you through a land of old taverns, heartache, and hill towns that he knows all too well. There really isn't a loser in the bunch, but highlights include 'You Can Count on Me (If You Can't Count Too High),' '(While the World Turns) Bluer Than Blue,' and 'Last Night I Really Had a Bawl.' This is unabashedly tear-in-your beer stuff, but the relatively lo-fi atmosphere and the sui generis aura of Haddock himself add something stirring and nearly indescribable, though the word 'real' certainly starts arriving at it. ~ Erik Hage, All Music Guide. Country the way it should be with nick, nick fiddles, steel guitar, electric lead, accoustic lead, piano, rhythm guitar, harmonica, bass, drums and harmony vocals. All new songs. Listing: I CAN'T DROWN MY SORROWS (You've Taught'em How To Swim).....YOU CAN COUNT ON ME (If You Can't Count Too High)...WE MADE TOO MANY MEMORIES....SWEET TALKIN'.....I'M TIRED OF WAITIN' 'ROUND (Til You Get Around To Me)....BABY ONE MORE TIME....THE WORLD TURNS BLUER THAN BLUE....THAT MAKE LOVE TO ME LOOK (In Your Eyes).....HONKY TONK CRAZY (And Bar Hoppin' Mad).....BLUES ON BAKER STREET.....TAKE ALL THE MEMORIES.....LAST NIGHT I REALLY HAD A BAWL.....IF YOU DON'T USE IT (You're Gonna Lose It). 13 performances. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED if traditional country is your thing. See other titles for more background and up to date info on Durwood and his long career in the music business.
