CDReview: Honky Tonk Blood Soundtrack

Various Artists

Honky Tonk Blood Soundtrack

(ZenHill Records)

Power comes in 3s…but more on that later…

You know what the best thing about this prodigal son’s homecoming? The ceremony. I don’t like the spotlight being on me, hehe, but sometimes it happens, and I’m glad it didn’t last too long that windy night in town.

That should have tipped me off in the beginning; the windy Friday night of my return. With that wind howling, it was a foreshadowing of the howling female jackals that I would encounter later that night. And damn it all, I was going in unprepared! After the past years adventures on the bumpy but beautiful road of varied business, one would think I had learned lessons and would be ready for anything. I’m chalking it up to a rookie mistake because I was hungry….shocker!

Well, when I returned to work that day, I walked in to see that some things were still the same, while other things had improved to some degree (being three, that is). For one, I was happy to see some of the old (I use the term loosely) familiar faces, and beaming with delight to see some bright new shiny ones as well (2). But with the good comes the bad (3), and I being the gentleman that I am, chose to step over the shit and be nice to those I  knew were willing to thrust their knives into my back; in some ways I felt like Caesar in the senate.

Once the workday was complete, I retired to my welcoming apartment for a short nap and then a shower. Later, I was going out with a couple of friends (making us 3) that wanted to take me out and catch up with what all had been going on both on their end and mine as well. Of course, they were sparing no expense and doing it in style, something I had been away from except my short stint with Elle in England. I asked what was on the planned agenda, and after a moment of looking at one another, they answered: Honky Tonk Blood.

Now, upon hearing that, my mind began to wander. First, I thought of my friends and their warped sense of humor; maybe this was gonna be some kinda country two step contest. These guys knew I couldn’t dance. Then I thought maybe it was some kinda new fight club—they do exist! But being that I’m a rocker and a writer, a lover and not a fighter (unless it’s vampires) I ruled that out. The last thing I could think of was a movie I had heard tale of from three people, two musicians and a graphic artist. I felt a little more at ease knowing this was probably the right thought.

And all three events took place at one of my favorite restaurants in town!

Walking into a good crowd, I along with my two hosts Big C and MishMash, spied an open table; an island of our own to enjoy a good meal, movie and concert. It would be later that we would find out that we were surround by drunken middle aged female sharks!

Moving on…

In a hurry, we ran to the food line and stocked up on barbecue pork loin, sausage and a good sized helping of dirty rice before going to the bar for a bucket of beer. Once we had procured said items, the three of us sat comfortably and quietly at our little musical island enjoying the delicious dish and washing it down with some cold libation.

After our meal and a wave of sudsy greatness (1), the lights were dimmed and the Southeast Texas premiere of Honky Tonk Blood (2). The movie itself is a combination of satire and documentary, and funny approach to revealing life in the music industry today. Featuring a majority of musicians in the Houston music scene, the movie follows three prominent musicians and their climb up the corporate music ladder, with consequences abound, and they find out that truths are more false promises—except for the Suit.

I’m glad a movie like this was made. Big corperate music labels have destroyed what music was once about. It seems like everything heard on the “radio” is mass produced from a cookie cutter with the music all sounding the same, only the artist’s names are different. And another thing: posthumous releases equal big bucks. For example, Tupac Shakur has been dead for fifteen years, and he’s release more albums since he’s been dead than when he was alive. Another great example is Jimi Hendrix and I could go on and on and on about that. Meanwhile, you have talented musicians delivering pure original heartfelt music that is passed over, and for what? Let’s face it: the music industry is dead. Independence is where it’s at.

Honky Tonk Blood provided a good chunk of laughs and the music to go with it. Outside of a couple of glitches (I think there was some BBQ sauce that got caught up on the movie) and the loud ass drunken women talking ALL throughout the night (the female sharks I was referring to earlier), a good time and much laughter was had by many.

Upon the movie’s end, The Three forces behind the movie, actors/directors/writers John Evans, Johnny Falstaff, and Southern Backtones’ Hank Schyma gathered onstage with their guitars and assorted drinks for a concert (3)  featuring their music from the movie.  It was a treat to hear the stories they shared in between their songs played on variation and acoustically as well.

And speaking of music, let’s move further that direction…

The combined forces of music veterans John Evans, Johnny Falstaff, and Hank Schyma are the lifeline of Honky Tonk Blood, both in movie title and the music that they play. A majority of the music on the soundtrack belongs to the Three, but it also features other musicians. I have to say it was a nice introduction to hearing these bands and wanting to find out more about them.

Sideshow Tramps brought a real kick in the teeth with their song Lady Vodka as well as their other featured cut Tramps and Freaks which was so fitting in the movie. Another band of musicians, Two Star Symphony, with their distinctive style provide the track Something She Said….and leaving me wanting more!

And with the Three Caballeros, this soundtrack could be a “best of” compilation or a great introduction for those not familiar with the Texas musicians. Let’s start with John Evans. With a nice sized catalog of CDs to choose from, Evans provides songs from different genres in his career, like  Eye Candy (from the rockabilly Circling the Drain), Fast Lane (from the hard drivin’ Ramblin’ Boy), and the ever popular crowd  participant Electric Gumdrop (from the modern rock laced Lollygaggin’).

With his honky tonk swagger, Johnny Falstaff brings the classic sound of honky tonk to life with his modern flare—as only he can do. In addition to crooning the haunting title track, Falstaff also offers up twangin'  belt buckling shinin’ old school country on Shine (from his self titled release), plus the upbeat rockabilly Honky Tonkin’ Daddy and the seductive and beautiful Wanting You (from the Honky Tonkin’ Daddy CD).

Pulling many genres out of his bag of tricks, Hank Schyma and Southern Backtones offer a solid and memorable handful of songs from this repertoire. First up is the song that introduced me to the band, the Latin flavored hard rockin’ rockabilly track Fallen Angel  (from Los Tormentos De Amor), modern rocker to sway women off their feet and into your bed Forever (from the self titled release), and the soundtrack only spaghetti western flavored Bandera (be sure to count the number of John Evans song titles mentioned).

Each song from the Honky Tonk Blood soundtrack fits like a glove within the movie. It can be viewed as an audio biography of life on the road of some of the most talented musicians putting their spin on a classic sound and making it their own.

My advice: when you see one if not all three of this Tall Texans performing in your town, you best strap on your party hat and go to the show for a time you will not forget. If they aren’t in your area, I say grab a Lone Star, some good ole Mexican food and throw in the Honky Tonk Blood DVD…only I would try not to eat at certain parts…