Album Notes

"It's a great ******** record!" (Dave Alvin) In a way this record has been ten years in the making, in that one of the songs (Don't Let The Devil Take Me Now) was written in 1995. I've been performing these songs (and many others) in solo,duo,trio and full band arrangements over the last ten years, but rather than simply 'throw them out there' I wanted to be absolutely certain of which songs felt right for this record, and in what manner I wanted to present them to the world.
I feel I need to 'wear' a song for a while-break it in like you would a pair of jeans or boots, which can only be accomplished on stage over a period of time.To record a song, like taking a picture of a landscape, is to freeze a moment in time. The same landscape a day, a week, a year later will have subtle changes-so when you take that photo you want it to be a good one!
When you undertake a new recording you get a feeling about it, and early on I knew this was the right time. Through experience, thought, fate, and dumb luck I'd found exactly the right people to midwife these songs into life.
In addition to the awesomely talented cast of characters who've been making me sound better than I am for years ( Doug, John, Joey, Kurt, etc.) the great Norm Hamlet (Merle Haggard's steel player for decades) blessed me with his sweet, mournful sound on Don't Let The Devil Take Me Now.
Greg Liesz (who plays on every third great record you've ever heard!) added his brilliant touch on Desperado Town, Highway To Heaven, and Not Like The Last Time.
The ever soulful Joe Terry (a long time member of Dave Alvin's band The Guilty Men) put just the right touch of organ and piano on every song on the record.
Rick Shea, former Guilty Man, part-time Blue Rose Band man, who is a great songwriter himself (check out his records!) knew just what to play and when to play it as always. The record's worth buying just for these guys!
There's a lot of my life in these songs-not necessarily autobiographical- a lot of "life". Life on the road, in and out of love, in and out of trouble, in and out of consciousness.. In any given 24 hour period I'm given to high optimism, idealism, or ready to cash in my chips. I've been up and down many roads physically, emotionally,and spiritually, so you might call this a 'road' record. Or a 'country' record. Maybe a 'rock' record. I don't like to get caught up in labels...hopefully you'll call this a GOOD record!
One thing for sure, it sounds great in the car...

Peace,
Kurt Mahoney

"The musicianship, the songwriting, and the production are all first rate!"

"...Just a fabulous record-I'm blown away-love the artwork too!"

"..A wonderful record-I'd be proud to play this for anyone!"