Recommended: Johnny Bush And The Derailers

Johnny Bush – Kashmere Gardens Mud
Johnny Bush released his autobiography at the beginning of March along with a new album, Kashmere Garden Muds. After I finished reading the book I decided to listen to his album as well, but was dismayed when I couldn’t find it on any of the popular download services or at any of the big music stores (Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart). So I made a special trip to Waterloo Records and fortunately they had it on the shelf right as I walked in. The album opens with one of the two songs penned by Bush, a beautifully written and performed tribute to his childhood town, “Kashmere Gardens Mud.”

The remainder of the album boasts songwriting and vocals from the likes of Willie Nelson, Townes Van Zandt, Dale Watson, and Floyd Tillman. Bush obviously believes in settling for nothing than the best when it comes instruments as well, bringing in an orchestra, trumpet sololists, Bobby Flores on fiddle, and Buddy Emmons on steel guitar…basically all the people he talks about in his book. You can’t go wrong with the majority of Bush’s material, but another one of my favorites that I’d highly recommend is Lost Highway Saloon. Back to the album at hand, highlights include the fine acoustics on “Pancho & Lefty,” a stirring rendition of “Family Bible,” and Bush trading verses with Willie Nelson on “Send Me the Pillow that You Dream On.”

The Derailers – Soldiers of Love
When I was still in high school my dad and step-mom took my brother and I to the Broken Spoke for some dancing lessons. The Derailers were playing that night and had the place packed tighter than Dwight Yoakam in leather pants after visiting an all-you-can-eat buffet, not the most optimal place for dancing. Unfortunately I never learned how to dance, but the swingin’ beats of the fused country and ’60s pop sound from the Derailers makes me wish I did.

I recently started listening to their music again after I picked up a copy of Soldiers of Love at Waterloo Records. If you haven’t heard it, head on over to their MySpace and listen to “Cold Beer, Hot Women & Cool Country Music,” you’ll be glad you did. The remainder of the album consists of equally memorable tunes that beg you to sing along.

http://www.myspace.com/derailers