Damon Bramblett

Amazon.com
It's the songwriting of Damon Bramblett that separates him from the dozens of Austin-based country musicians playing today. On his self-titled debut, Bramblett meditates on the usual subjects (heartbreak, lost loves, rural America) but gives them twists: he gives a noirish edge to "Waiting for the Mail," he's got an appropriately titled number called "Nobody Wants to Go to the Moon Anymore," and "Champaign, IL" is slow and jazzy. Lloyd Maines's minimal production doesn't embellish these tunes so much as let the great songwriting come to the fore. And Bramblett shines, especially on the tunes that sound honky-tonk ready, "Heaven Bound" and "Today I Started Drinking Again." Don't be mistaken: this isn't alt-country so much as a throwback to good country, the kind of solid writing that existed before the sheen of Nashville and the punk hooks of the Wilco generation stole the C&W stage. If Bramblett doesn't sing a hit tune soon, he'll probably pen one for someone else. --Jason Verlinde

Product Description:
Long awaited debut from Texas singer-songwriter includes original versions of songs covered by Kelly Willis, Charlie Robison, and Sara Hickman.

Damon Bramblett

Damon Bramblett,Damon Bramblett,Texas Music Group,Alternative Country,Country,Country & Western,Honky Tonk,Pop,Rock/Pop,Singer/Songwriter

Average customer rating: dressed in black-j.cash tribute The best tribute (so far) Straight A's 4 This Tribute Disc! A Nice Tribute Great Disc with one flaw

Dressed in Black - A Tribute to Johnny Cash Various Artists Manufacturer: Dualtone Music Group ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music General | Compilations | Country | Styles | Music Contemporary | Bluegrass | Country | Styles | Music Similar Items: Kindred Spirits: A Tribute to the Music of Johnny Cash Timeless: Hank Williams Tribute Lonesome, On'ry And Mean: A Tribute to Waylon Jennings Touch My Heart: A Tribute to Johnny Paycheck Cash From Chaos: A Tribute to the Legendary Man in Black: Johnny Cash ASIN: B00006BN84 Release Date: 2002-09-17

Tracks:

1. Wreck of the Old '97 - Hank III
2. Cry, Cry, Cry - Robbie Fulks
3. Ballad of a Teenage Queen - Rodney Crowell
4. I Guess Things Happen That Way - Raul Malo
5. There You Go - Chuck Mead
6. Get Rhythm - Rev. Horton Heat
7. Pack Up Your Sorrows - Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis
8. Ring of Fire - Billy Burnette
9. Luther Played the Boogie - Redd Volkaert
10. Big River - Rosie Flores
11. Folsom Prison Blues - James Intveld
12. I Still Miss Someone - Earl Poole Ball
13. I'm Gonna Sit on the Porch and Pick On My Old Guitar - Damon Bramblett
14. I Walk The Line - Dale Watson
15. Train of Love - Kenny Vaughan
16. Straight A's in Love - Eddie Angel
17. Jackson - Mandy Barnett & Chuck Mead
18. Flesh & Blood - Chris Knight

Amazon.com

As befits a release on a fledgling indie label, Dualtone's tribute to Johnny Cash celebrates the feistier fringes of the Man in Black's catalog, adding a few mainstream milestones. In what is plainly a labor of love for all concerned, highlights extend from the pop innocence of "Ballad of a Teenage Queen" by Rodney Crowell (formerly married to Johnny's daughter Rosanne) to the folkier strains and husband-and-wife harmonies of "Pack Up Your Sorrows" by Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis to the honky-tonk majesty of "I Still Miss Someone" by pianist Earl Poole Ball. Some of the more familiar touchstones don't fare quite as well, with Billy Burnette turning in a tepid "Ring of Fire" and Dale Watson singing in a lower than comfortable register on "I Walk the Line," though James Intveld rises to the challenge of "Folsom Prison Blues." The house band and the largely acoustic arrangements give the 18-cut album more unity than many such projects, as the collection shows why one of the most influential and commercially successful artists in country's history remains an icon of alt-country as well. --Don McLeese

Customer Reviews:

dressed in black-j.cash tribute.......2007-05-27

not many tribute albums are worth a 2nd listen,not the case here however with the likes of hank III & rev.horton heat you can listen to this one over & over with out hearing a generic pop country artist murder a cash classic, most of the songs here are done quite well, some just stand out more than others,a must have for cash fans!

The best tribute (so far).......2006-05-09

The whole spirit of this CD takes me back to my teenage years in the late '50s, when we listened to Johnny Cash's Sun singles (along with Jerry Lee Lewis and Bill Haley) on the juke box. In addition to the excellent renditions of Cash's music, this collection introduced me to a few excellent singers who had somehow managed to slip by under my radar. In particular, I love Robbie Fulks' version of "Cry, Cry, Cry"--what a fantastic singer/songwriter! Surprisingly, the singer who sounds most like a young Cash (without seeming to imitate him) is the very Reverend Horton Heat on "Get Rhythm." Another is Chuck Mead's "There You Go." Hank III gives his own unique take on "Wreck of the Old '97." Sounding more like his own grandfather, it's certainly not the way Johnny Cash did it, but he nevertheless captures the bare tragedy and heroic spirit of the song. "Pack up Your Sorrows" was a favorite during the '60s, but I barely remember Johnny Cash singing it. The most familiar version was by Richard & Mimi Farina, and Kelly Willis and Bruce Robinson faithfully capture the spirit of their version. The other song that stands out is "Straigh A's in Love" by Eddie Angel. It's often forgotten that Johnny Cash was not primarily a country singer. Beginning with his classic work at Sun Studio, he pretty much invented the rockabilly sound, and it is this spirit that is well represented here. Get this CD and keep it in your car to brighten up those pesky commutes.

Straight A's 4 This Tribute Disc!.......2005-03-26

There is some excellent music on "Dressed In Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash." Chris Knight is one of those musicians that always sparks my interest; his version of "Flesh & Blood" is such a plaintive laid back reading of this song that it gives an emotional mix of loneliness, hope & desire. It closes the set, but is one of the highlights for me. Eddie Angel's rockabilly "Straight A's In Love" is a naughty little tune that puts a smile on my face each time it comes on the changer. :) Austin songwriter Damon Bramblett's take on "I'm Gonna Sit on the Porch & Pick on My Old Guitar" may not seem polished, but it does exude a warmth that brings me into the music. Chuck Mead from BR5-49 produced this disc and plays on every track. His lead vocals on "There You Go" set your toe tapping, "You're gone again, I should'a known I couldn't win...He's by your side, you're gonna break another heart, you're gonna tell another lie." The Mavericks' Raul Malo sounds a bit like Chris Isaak to me on the slow shuffle of "I Guess Things Happen That Way." Rodney Crowell has been recording a series of great solo sets as well as with the Notorious Cherry Bombs. Here he turns a straightforward reading of "Ballad of a Teenage Queen." Robbie Fulks' "Cry, Cry, Cry" booms with great energy. No one will ever replace Johnny Cash, but these artists do a great job with songs that he previously polished. Enjoy!

A Nice Tribute.......2004-02-24

Hank III's "Wreck of the Old '97" makes this disc worth owning. His daring to break out of the mold that so many other artists have poured this song into, while still respecting the original, is reason enough to add this CD to your collection.

Great Disc with one flaw.......2003-12-18

This disc is awesome! There's no beating Rodney Crowell, Redd Volkaert, and couple others. Now, I'm a Hank Fan also, and love what III does with his grandpa's music, but as for Wreck of the Old 97, he should be locked up. I wouldn't appear on anything rewriting a song that's been done for the past 75 years. Johnny, Hank Snow, all the ones I'd heard stuck very close to Vernon Dalhart's recording from the late '20s. III's almost made this disc a clay pigeon.

Average customer rating: Has he ever been up here? This is what country is supposed to sound like Very Pure Texas Songwriter. Brilliant . . . Genius . . . Dark . . .

Damon Bramblett Damon Bramblett Manufacturer: Texas Music Group ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music General | Country | Styles | Music Honky-Tonk | Country | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B00004Y9Y3 Release Date: 2000-09-26

Tracks:

1. Tear Him Down
2. Heaven Bound
3. Falling Apart
4. Nobody Wants To Go To The Moon Anymore
5. Waiting For The Mail
6. 1000 Hearts
7. Today I Started Drinking Again
8. When I Was Blind
9. Champaign, IL
10. Devil On Your Side
11. Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way

Amazon.com

It's the songwriting of Damon Bramblett that separates him from the dozens of Austin-based country musicians playing today. On his self-titled debut, Bramblett meditates on the usual subjects (heartbreak, lost loves, rural America) but gives them twists: he gives a noirish edge to "Waiting for the Mail," he's got an appropriately titled number called "Nobody Wants to Go to the Moon Anymore," and "Champaign, IL" is slow and jazzy. Lloyd Maines's minimal production doesn't embellish these tunes so much as let the great songwriting come to the fore. And Bramblett shines, especially on the tunes that sound honky-tonk ready, "Heaven Bound" and "Today I Started Drinking Again." Don't be mistaken: this isn't alt-country so much as a throwback to good country, the kind of solid writing that existed before the sheen of Nashville and the punk hooks of the Wilco generation stole the C&W stage. If Bramblett doesn't sing a hit tune soon, he'll probably pen one for someone else. --Jason Verlinde

Album Description

Long awaited debut from Texas singer-songwriter includes original versions of songs covered by Kelly Willis, Charlie Robison, and Sara Hickman.

Customer Reviews:

Has he ever been up here?.......2005-10-24

No, I have not listened to the entire album. But I will say this. I was born, raised, and still currently live in Champaign, Illinois. And I am deeply offended by the song on the album. Has Damon ever been up here? Sure it's a small town and sure we'd all love to get our hands on a small town girl. But there are not any bars down the street from any houses. The city ordinances wouldn't allow it. And yes there is such thing as family here. Where does he get the idea that there isn't? We are not some run down town. We have a great University. Oh, and by the way, no whorehouses here. I've been here 21 years and never seen one. So, Mr. Bramblett, before you write a song about a geographical location, make sure you visit the location first. This isn't Texas.

This is what country is supposed to sound like.......2001-06-25

Forget alt-country, and forget the [stuff] coming out of Nashville--this is what country music is supposed to sound like. Great guitar picking, a fantastic voice (at times reminiscent of Cash), and really solid lyrics. It's a pleasant surprise to find a country musician equally adept at songwriting, playing guitar and singing his own songs. This one's all original too, folks. Kelly Willis has already recorded one of Damon's songs, and I have a feeling a lot of other "country" artists will do the same soon; but take my advice and get it from the source. You'll be glad you did.

Very Pure Texas Songwriter........2000-06-12

This CD is pure original country. The songs such as "Tear Him Down" and "Heaven Bound" are gems. My favorite is "Waiting for the Mail". Give this CD a chance and get a real taste of Austin.

Brilliant . . . Genius . . . Dark . . ........2000-05-25

Damon is a heck of a songwriter. After hearing all these songs live so many times -- played with his minimalist trio sound, or even solo -- it was a bit odd to hear them with full instrumentation. Odd but not bad. His voice is big. His guitar picking is excellent. His songs are superb.

Music Album:

1. Day in the Sun
2. Essential Selections: Texas 1947
3. Forever & Ever: The Best Of Randy Travis [Import]
4. Get Back Change
5. Ghost of Things to Come
6. Goin' Back to Texas [Original recording remastered]
7. Grounded Centered Focused
8. Hard Times on Easy Street
9. Havin' Fun With the Hoosier Hotshots
10. Heart of Mine

Music Album