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"Amigo"
David Ball's 1988 debut was sweet and
melodic, complete with yodeling and a beguiling, light-on-its-feet
traditionalism. Following his 1994 Top 10 single, "Thinkin'
Problem," he wound up lost in the hat-act shuffle, which,
had he stuck with it, would probably have destroyed his integrity
as it had that of so many others. Amigo returns Ball to his Southwestern
roots. The title song, which he co-penned with Kostas, has a
'40s feeling that sets the tone for the entire record. Other
Ball-authored material is just as fine, particularly "Missing
Her Blues," the yodelfest "Texas Echo," and the
gutsy gospel of "When the Devil Wants to Wrestle."
Ball also includes a masterful interpretation of Merle Haggard's
loungy "Trying Not to Love You" and demonstrates his
flawless taste in vintage material, recasting the 1920s pop hit
"Linger Awhile" as fetching, acoustic-driven Western
swing and the classic "Just Out of Reach" as a waltz.
He may not be swimming in gold and platinum discs nowadays, but
with a package this artistically satisfying under his belt, who
cares? --Rich |
