Released: 28/08/2021 on streaming platforms and released on CD 18/09/2021 Reviewed by-Terry Mead 29/08/2023. Buy the album here: https://jonnyandlynnette.com/.../rocky-road-ramblers.../
You Still On My Mind-The Rocky Road Ramblers are a traditional four-piece Country/Rockabilly band based near Newark, England. They are a family made up of husband & wife, daughter, and wife’s younger brother. Jonny and Lynnette have become a winning formula on the country music scene since they combined their solo careers to become a duo back in 2009 and since then have never looked back, winning both solo and duo awards.
Then, with their passion and love for traditional country and rockabilly music, The Rocky Road Ramblers were formed.
They initially got together for a one-off show at Walesby’s Golden Buckle festival in the summer of 2017 and from that performance one thing led to another and the band found themselves on the road heading north to the Broken Spoke festival and the rest is history.
The band consist of:
Jonny Williams- Lead & harmony vocals, rhythm & lead guitar .
Lynnette Maire- Lead & harmony vocals, double bass.
Adrian Marsh-Lead guitar, steel lap.
Sophie O’ Shea-Drums This is the third album from the band the previous two being ‘In The Jailhouse Now” and The Sun Session”. Along with this they have released numerous DVD’s which are available from their website. The album consists of covers from various well-known artists and a bonus instrumental track to end with.
Let’s review track by track:
Swinging Doors- Off we go with the opening track originally written and recorded by Merle Haggard in 1966.This version leans more towards a Rock n Roll one rather than country with some cool guitar licks. From the onset Lynnette’s country voice protrudes to the highest level, great opening track.
Nashville Rash – A Dale Watson composition and what a lively number the Rocky Road Ramblers have made it here, the lyrics are somewhat a tribute to those legends of country and this version has kept those values.
Jambalaya – The legendary Hank Williams classic tune captured here with Jonny on lead vocals and Lynette joining in on a verse with some cruisy steel lap sounds. I feel the Ramblers have wanted to keep close to the original but in doing so wanted to add their own flair to the track.
Call Me The Breeze – A song by J.J.Cale recorded in 1970 renowned for early use of the drum machine. The beat here is less jumpy than the original with more of a commercial feel about it.
Cocaine Blues - This song was lyrically based on the traditional folk song “Little Sadie’ the popular version was originally recorded by W.A.Nichols’ Western Aces in 1947 and of course Johnny Cash sang it at Folsom Prison in 1968. Which brings us to this version loosely based on old J.C. 'S cover again a lively foot tapping tune.
Here Comes That Rainbow Again-Written by Kris Kristofferson in 1981, a nice laid-back lament with some harmonising between Jonny and Lynette telling the story of the rain and thunder making the rainbow come again.
Thirty Days – Chuck Berry’s 1955 tune brought back to life here by the Ramblers with a country rock feel, whilst keeping the momentum of the original in place.
There’s A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He Is Elvis- Written and released by Kirsty MacColl in 1981 being her debut single. The Ramblers have captured the sound of Kirsty with Lynnette on the vocals backed by the rest of the group keeping the beat of the original.
You’re Right ,I’m Left She’s Gone – Originally written by Bill Taylor and Stan Kesler in 1955 for Elvis Presley on the Sun record label, this version comes pretty close to that recording and has a lovely feel of the era about it.
How Can I Face Tomorrow- Recorded by Patsy Cline in 1960, here again Lynette portrays Patsy’s distinctive voice so well here on this slightly upbeat version with more guitar licks covering for the steel sound of the original.
Flying Saucer Rock n Roll- The old Billy Lee Riley Sun studio classic with that never to be forgotten resounding intro, this track has the bite right from the word go great rendition of the original.
Carl Perkins Melody – A triple melody of Carl Perkins tracks “Honkytonk Gal/Tennessee/Movie Magg” blended together to form four minutes of pure nostalgia, with a pumping beat that will have you gyrating around the dance floor.
You Win Again – Another Hank Williams composition from 1952, recreated here with the lovely voice of Lynnette Maire on this beautiful ballad, that has a soothing overtone and a contrasting sound on the steel lap guitar.
Six Days On The Road – This track was initially recorded by Paul Davis in 1961 but became a major hit in 1963 when Dave Dudley recorded it. The Ramblers have made it into a rather upbeat lively version with some cool country guitar playing.
You’re Still On My Mind- The albums title track, originally released by Jeff Daniels in 1959 but made famous by George Jones in 1962, this version stays close to his version. A laid-back tune with a drinking story behind it and some care free guitar licks in-between the verses.
Way Out West Instrumental – A melody of famous instrumentals blending into one song with the likes of Apache, Good The Bad and The Ugly, Ghost Riders In The Sky and Kawliga under the umbrella of the “Way Out West’ theme.
To summarise it’s always nice to hear these old tunes revitalised and brought up to date on recent releases here we have a fine example of that. Fifteen great covers and a bonus instrumental put together and mixed in such a manner to not only honour those that did it originally but add their own flair and uniqueness to the end product, making it distinctively a Rocky Road Ramblers production.
YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/YHBfAMBddi8
Bio: Jonny and Lynnette have become a winning formula on the country music scene since they combined their solo careers to become a duo back in 2009 and since then have never looked back, winning both solo and duo awards. Then, with their passion and love for traditional country and rockabilly music, The Rocky Road Ramblers were formed. They initially got together for a one-off show at Walesby’s Golden Buckle festival in the summer of 2017 and from that performance one thing led to another and the band found themselves on the road heading north to the Broken Spoke festival and the rest is history. The band members are Jonny, who takes lead and harmony vocals and adds rhythm and lead guitar work to their sound. Next up we introduce Lynnette with her double bass named ‘Maybelle’. Lynnette takes care of the slappin’ and a’pluckin’ of the bass notes and also shares lead and harmony vocals. The husband and wife team are proud to be joined by Adrian Marsh, Lynnette’s younger brother who, with his slick lead guitar licks and awesome lap steel playing really brings this band to life. Last but by no means least sitting pretty on the drums, the girl with rhythm running through her veins, we introduce Jonny’s daughter Sophie O’Shea.
Playing country and rockabilly music from legends such as the grandaddy himself Hank Williams and the lively BR549 they also include sweet songs from greats such as Patsy Cline and Wanda Jackson to name just a few. In September 2018 the Rocky Road Ramblers earned themselves a nomination for ‘Newcomer of the Year’ at the CCN Awards which they are very proud of, also their debut album ‘In The Jailhouse Now’ was short listed for a BCMA ‘Album of the Year’ award that same year. In 2019, the band was short listed for the CCN Band of the Year award, and in January of 2019 saw the band head over to America to record an album at the legendary ‘Sun Studios’ in Memphis Tennessee, it was a truly amazing experience for them all. You can read all about their once in a lifetime trip on this page. The Rocky Road Ramblers had two previous albums for sale, available at gigs and through this website, the first ‘In The Jailhouse Now’ and ‘The Sun Session’. Now the third album “ You’re Still On My Mind” is also available. The band would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming response and encouragement they have received since their first performance in 2017 and can’t wait to see everyone on the trail.
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