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Written by Patrick Cosgrove
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 REDD VOLKAERT
Reddhead
Telehog Records
(Release Date: 9.16.08)
Redd Volkaert’s new record Reddhead will probably land in the country bin. The imposing guitar master is well known for the years he spent as country legend Merle Haggard’s lead axeman. So it goes without saying he delivers a good bit of tantalizing twang. But by the time you get through all 14 cuts of this, his first recording since 2000, you realize you are dealing with a guy who has few stylistic limitations. The guy can probably play Mozart or Mingus note for note.
In fact, the first cut (“Red Line Fever”) on this free-wheeling testament to impressive chops sounds like what you might get if Dick Dale and Junior Brown mixed it up in the studio. Ignore the lyrics for a moment on “Call the Pound” and you could be listening to a bit of rock ‘n’ roll menace à la The Doors. The disc includes several nods to Bob Wills that instantly conjure up a full dance floor at the Broken Spoke. “Raisin’ the Dickens,” a deft, blazing instrumental, would do Chet Atkins proud. The man is not just browsing, either—he is a virtual master of whatever genre he tackles.
Volkaert either wrote or co-wrote with Laura Durham (whose husband Alan produced with Volkaert) half the tracks on Reddhead, demonstrating that as a songwriter he’s no slouch. With the backing of a crackerjack band, and old school (analog) recording techniques, Reddhead is not just a picker’s pleasure, but a sure bet for anyone who appreciates genuine, honest, real American roots. If it were left up to me, I’d file this one under “Super Bad.” |