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 - Excellent live showI don't even own any Hayes Carll CDs yet, but I just saw him friday night at the Canal Club in Richmond, VA, and this guy puts on one hell of a show, don't miss it if you get the chance. Rating: - Hayes is the real dealI prefer seeing Hayes Carll in a live performance where his charisma and sense of humor shine. Second best is sitting back with friends and beer listening to Hayes at home. He is a true poet with a wicked sense of humor. My wife absolutely loves his music and this is a major breakthrough for her. She had considered Barry Manilow the voice of America.There is no sophmore jinx here. It is more refined than the first album with his well chosen guest musicians. Rating: - No Such Thing as a Sophmore SlumpHayes burst onto the Texas country/folk/singer-songwriter scene several years back with Flowers & Liquor, a wonderful collection of songs about mostly - you guessed it - love and alcohol. Several years later Hayes returns with a matured compilation of songs, not just emotionally, but also musically. But don't believe me...Hayes brings legendary songwriters Guy Clark and Ray Wylie Hubbard to the table with him, proving he can hold his own with two of the best. What strikes me as particulary good about the album is its consistency, seemingly becoming one of Hayes' trademarks. From the opening single "Wish I Hadn't Stayed So Long," rolling through to the fun country rocker "Down the Road Tonight," drifting through the haunting "Rivertown," into the wistful "Long Way Home," and closing out with the excellent barn buster "Chickens," you won't find a throw-away track on this cd. Do yourself a favor and grab one. You won't be disappointed.
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