Reckless Country Soul EP Review
Suzi Q; Greensboro Substitute, Greensboro,
North Carolina
September, 1982
Copyright 1982-2004 The Greensboro Substitute
Reckless
Country Soup EP: Shot Down Again/Broken Whiskey Glass/I’m So Lonesome
(I Could Cry)/These Women (Make a Fool Out of Me)
Jason and the Nashville Scorchers (Praxis) - I had the incredible pleasure
of seeing the Scorchers like at Friday’s in June. This is the first
group that really got me excited in a long time. With all the groups
jumping on the “new wave” bandwagon, the market is flooded
with groups who cultivate hysteria like Oingo Boingo, etc...
Yet, the hysteria that Jason and the Nashville Scorchers emit and transmit
is genuine. Jason and his boys really know how to work over a crowd.
Jason has a microphone that seems endless as he whirls through the crowd,
over the bar, outside and upon cars like a hillbilly dervish.
Finally, a group that plays up the rural identity without being lame
southern boogie a la Lynyrd Skynyrd. This group has real country and
western purity and SOUL. Sometimes, they play the C&W straight,
others they play it like buzzsaw or punk country & western.
This great EP gives you a sample of the energy and wild hijinks you
can expect from their live show. Amidst all the rebel yells and country
twang, Jason lampoons Jerry Falwell and the “moral majority.”
“Broken Whiskey Glass” is a weepy, honky tonk cry in your
brew tune. Still it rocks out and the lyrics are wonderful:
You went to Memphis to find yourself
You read every Elvis book on the shelf
You even popped a pill or two
To feel like a honky tonk star
“Lonesome” would do Hank Williams proud. Jason sho’ do
know how to tug at your heart strings and jerk a slop bucket full of
tears. Right when you think Jason is going to make you cry until the
end, the Scorchers crank it up for a fast, furious finale.
“These Women” is a fast paced, pounding rocker painting Jason
as the hillbilly Lothario. Great record. Buy it and see them live at
any cost.
Praxis Records
152 Kenner Ave.
Nashville, Tn.
37205
© 1982-2004 — The Greensboro Substitute — All Rights Reserved
