MUSIC NEWS NASHVILLE
author: Chuck Dauphin
With a name like Jerry Lee, you would have to figure that you would be in for a dose of Southern music mixed with a little bit of blues. That's what you get on this disc.
Surber, a native of Shamrock,TX....assembled quite an interestiing collection with this disc.
First of all, the instrumentation is nothing less than first-rate all the way through. Whether it be Surber, Chip Martin, Brian Pruitt, or Jason Roller....there's some awfully nice picking all the way throughout this CD.
Vocally...to suggest that Surber's vocals are clean and pristine would be stretching things a little. His voice is one that has been lived in, a trait that is very apparent on tracks like
"Hard Luck", and "Every Town", which is an ode to small town life. He's better on the up tempo cuts, such as "Educated Redneck", which benefits from some strong dobro playing from Martin.
His vocal approach brings to mind someone like Chris LeDoux...who had a style all his own. Is it Country? Well...that could be debated. Is it blues? That could be debated, as well.
Is it entertaining? That...I can tell you most assuredly, it is!!!!!
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Rib Magazine review by Will Jordan
author: Rib Magazine
Jerry Lee Surber holds his head up high as he sings his heart out on his latest release, Hey Guitar. The singer/songwriter has a lot to share with the world after a near death experience, which left him in a coma for five weeks in January and February 2000. He found his way back, fully recovered and is stronger than ever as indicated by his latest compilation of Texas storied songs, which are dripping with sweat and tears.
The album begins with the raucous, “Educated Redneck", a nod to Surber’s ever-present sense-of-humor. What follows is a palette of different sounds and emotions from the ironically upbeat, “Please Let Go Of My Heart” to the radio-friendly “Don’t Have To Love Me Back,” the soulful, harmonica-heavy “Down in Mexico,” the fiery, wide-ranging, “Showdown (at the Lonestar Saloon)” and the cheerful ode to his only daughter Shawn-Michelle entitled, “Mornin’ Light.” Surber made his bones in the band Texas during the 70s’-80s' and has proved he can stand on his own as a songwriter. There’s a message behind his music, and it’s time the rest of the world heard it!
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author: Shawn Nelson
This is a great CD! Each song is different but has the same flavor from this insightful artist. From inflections and emotional expressions to good old rock and roll this CD doesn't miss a beat. It fits into all genres and can and will be appreciated by all music lovers. This is one of those rare gems you can put in, press play and let it go. There's not a bad song on it- its all great stuff! The words, the music, the obvious expertise of the musicians and the expert songwriting skills make this a great one to add to your collection and tell all your friends about!There are so many intricacies in the music that compliment the song lyrics...incredible harmony vocals...we have definitely found a new fave! This CD has it all and it will blow you away! Looking forward to much more from this artist. A+++
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A perfect marriage of writing and melodies...
author: Freddy Mullins
Here is the deal. Jerry doesnt write songs...he paints them. The songs that Jerry writes and sings are the kind that play in your mind's eye as a movie would...you see his songs and emotions as they play. Sometimes you are smiling from the feel good light-hearted melodies and sometimes you are left silent imagining the pain that the song reveals....but no matter what you are in the songs and they are in you. The production is absolutely top notch as producer Chip Martin and Jerry combine perfectly. A great example of this is in the song "Don't Have to Love Me Back". A great song enhanced, but not overshadowed by wonderful production. Other highlights include: Down in Mexico, He Don't Matter to Her No More, I've been There, and Hard Luck.
Very nice work in producing an all American "Original Southern Music" album Jerry!
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