Dangerous Spirits

Amazon.com
Hubbard may have written "Up Against the Wall Red-neck Mother," but the song couldn't be farther from the meaning of his music. He's lived much of his life on the road--touring steadily for some 25 years now--leading from the birth of progressive country in Dallas and Austin, to fitful honky tonk recordings, to his country folk masterpieces Loco Gringo's Lament and the recent, and perhaps best, Dangerous Spirits. Hubbard has a wind scratched voice and a disposition both philosophical and spiritual that celebrates the beauties that, as he sings in "Ballad of the Crimson Kings," "sparkle and fade away." Hubbard's lyrical vision is fierce and unflinching, encompassing the existential shock of Flannery O'Connor and the mystery of fellow Texas troubadour Townes Van Zandt. --Ray Francis Kasten

Tracks:

Dangerous Spirits
If Heaven Is Not A Place To Go
Without Love (We're Just Wastin' Time)
Hey That's All Right
Last Train To Amsterdam
The Last Younger Son
Resurrection
Crimson Dragon Tatoo
The Sun Also Rises
The Ballad Of The Crimson Kings

Amazon.com

Hubbard may have written "Up Against the Wall Red-neck Mother," but the song couldn't be farther from the meaning of his music. He's lived much of his life on the road--touring steadily for some 25 years now--leading from the birth of progressive country in Dallas and Austin, to fitful honky tonk recordings, to his country folk masterpieces Loco Gringo's Lament and the recent, and perhaps best, Dangerous Spirits. Hubbard has a wind scratched voice and a disposition both philosophical and spiritual that celebrates the beauties that, as he sings in "Ballad of the Crimson Kings," "sparkle and fade away." Hubbard's lyrical vision is fierce and unflinching, encompassing the existential shock of Flannery O'Connor and the mystery of fellow Texas troubadour Townes Van Zandt. --Ray Francis Kasten

Customer Reviews:

An unwavering look at life and its hard choices.......2006-06-10

Ray Wylie Hubbard never seems to take the easy way out. "Dangerous Spirits" sums up nicely the cast of characters he sings about in this album. Mr. Hubbard's voice may not be the strongest around, but his unwavering look at life and its hard choices, often in the face of temptation, makes for fascinating material. One character, for instance, faces the dilemma of acceding to a preacher's demands "to kneel and pray" versus his attraction to a blonde who "gets to him in a real bad way." Another hears of the latest misadventures of his ex with what seems to be pangs or remorse that ultimately are topped by glee. The curse of those who are "born to write" is explored in another track.

This recording, which is more country than rock but not dyed-in- the-wool country, sparkles with plenty of crisp playing, from multiple guitars, to catchy percussion and keyboards. The arrangements here are more open and flowing than the thick sound on "Growl" and "Delirium Tremolos."

Music about philosophy, reincarnation, spirituality, temptation, salvation, and religion never sounded as brisk and accessible as they do on this fine album.

"Broken Heroes, Wasted Lovers, and Vilified Gods".......2005-05-30

"Dangerous Spirits" is perhaps Ray Wylie Hubbard's most spiritual CD. The racuous and rowdy side of Hubbard, as exemplified by "Redneck Mother," isn't much present here. The songs are mostly acoustic, thoughtful and several of them are just plain beautiful.

In addition to acoustic guitar, Ray plays a mean mandolin on a couple of cuts and a harmonica on the deep and dark spiritual "Resurrection;" a variety of girl singers, including Lucinda Williams, and top-notch guitar players like "Buffalo" Ware and Lloyd Maines contribute their talents. The sound is mostly folk rather than country or rock.

Several songs are really outstanding: "Last Train to Amsterdam and "The Last Younger Son" are what Hubbard would call "dark power ballads." "Ballad of the Crimson Kings" and "Crimson Dragon Tattoo" are exquisite up-tempo tunes with a great interplay among voices, mandolin, dobro, acoustic, and electric guitars. I could go on...and on. This CD will grow on you. The songs are quiet and unobtrusive at first listen, but you'll soon appreciate the craftmanship and quality in each of them.

Smallchief

Every once in a while...........2002-01-19

...just before sundown,a real outlaw rides into town,with tales of woe and wonders.Such is the likes of Ray Wylie Hubbard.
Unlike the Nashville Hat-acts who wear sentiment, heartache, and scripture under their sleeve... with RWH you'll find a tatoo of a crimson dragon and a hidden derringer.This is music which can be defined as a blend of outlaw-country-folk,perhaps not as cerebral and transcendent as say Tom Russell,but equally good in it's own visceral,bare-fisted way. Whiskey straight,no chaser.

Another Texas treasure........1999-08-19

This is one of those albums that cannot be experienced through the little sound bites listed above. You have to listen to the album, in its entirety, to really enjoy it and Ray for all they are worth.

If you don't know Ray Wylie Hubbard, you have no doubt heard at least one of his songs as recorded by some other artist. Though "Redneck Mother" has become his legacy, it is very far from representative of Hubbard's work. On the other hand, "Dangerous Spirits" is Ray at his best!

The craftsmanship that one can experience on this album is rare in this day and age. Hubbard weaves melody and story with a skill befitting a man who once lived in a place called "Poetry, TX." (He really did!) You will never witness better modern folk songwriting and perfomance than can be heard on "Dangerous Spirits."

The first track of the album grabs you and you are held under his spell all the way through to the last track. "If Heaven is Not a Place to Go," and "Without Love, " the next two tracks are very similar in feel and content.

The first time I ever heard "Last Younger Son," I knew that Ray had written a masterpiece in this album. It has the story telling abilties than one has come to expect, combined with a haunting blend of melody and voice. "Ballad of the Crimson Kings," the story of a Carolina folk band and life on the road, is a true gem, as well. And a hell of a song to cap this excellent album off with.

This is one album that every fan of modern folk music needs to have in their collection. Unlike other albums, you won't tire of this one with repeated listening, but will instead discover something new and exciting every time.

Excellent!

excellent texas folk.......1999-07-08

i have'nt heard him live but i hope to. i listened to dangerous spirits then a townes van zant album and think there are no better songwriters than these kinds of people. i have always said that on any night you can find a bar somewhere in ark., tex., ok, or la. and find one of the best singer/songwriters you have heard. some are famous some are not, but they still get out there every night and play. sometimes they are too tired of life its own self to play but they get up there. that is what you hear in each note of this music. for someone to play bars frequently alone, sometimes for 10 people, sometimes to a full house in this part of the country is a hard way to make a living. it may take 20 years of this type of touring to learn what you need to know to write this kind of music. but, when someone with the poet in their heart learns this way it makes it a treasure the rest of us can share. the vocal talents are not exactly tony bennett but the meaning of the words can rarely be better expressed by someone else. the songs were meant to be sung by the writer.

Average customer rating:

Radio Shows: Dangerous Assignment
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Radio Spirits
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000ELJAG0
Release Date: 2006-01-25

Music Album:

Music Album