Just Some Good Ole Boys
When you think of Kentucky you have visions of Bluegrass and The Derby as well
as the Louisville Cardinals, the Wild Cats and sights like Mammoth Cave. Now you
can add Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry to the list.
With their sophomore effort, 'Carrying On', Montgomery Gentry has made a niche in
country music that has been missed for over twenty years. You say they sound too
much like Charlie Daniels or Elvin Bishop at times. Listen again. They may have
idolized those two country rock artists growing up, and maybe the influence crossed
over into their music, but the output is pure MG.
You could call them the modern day Waylon & Willie, but they're more than that (and
less). Whereas Waylon & Willie pretty much lived the life they sang about, Montgomery
Gentry come off as some good ole boys who would rather have a good time than get into
too much trouble.
While there isn't a weak track on the album, some stand out more than others. 'She
Couldn't Change Me' starts it off by talking about a woman who tried to change her
'down home' guy and ended up realizing that it wasn't going to happen.
Other tracks that you'll probably be hearing in the near future are 'Hellbent On
Saving Me' and the title song 'Carrying On'. That old country rock flavor rears it's
head on 'Black Jack Fletcher and Mississippi Sam' as well as 'Tried and True'. They
even throw in a Waylon Jennings classic with 'Ramblin' Man'.
But my personal favorite is 'The Fine Line' which does seem a little out of place
here. To be honest with you, it would fit right in if this was a Randy Travis album.
But it's not. So give the boys credit for stretching the parameters of their music
and putting in a song out of left field.
Montgomery Gentry is a group that you will be hearing from a lot in the future.
They're just a couple of good ole boys having some good ole fun. The title of the
album says it all. They're 'Carrying On'. Take it anyway you want to...carrying on
the tradition of outlaw country, carrying on the tradition of good fun started by
Charlie Daniels way back when or carrying on and doing what they do best - which
is making music that they want to make.
- Richard Blaine
* Richard Blaine's views and opinions do not necessarily
reflect the views and opinions of the staff at Twin-Music.