J.B Beverley and The Wayward Drifters - Watch America Roll By (2009)

 

2009 - Watch America Roll By

It’s a time-honored tradition: the life-on-the-road sophomore album. And with the title of Watch America Roll By, J.B. Beverley and the Wayward Drifters willingly stand by tradition on Album Number Two; fortunately, Beverley’s worldview is broader than that of his tour van. Guitarist Beverley (ex-Murder Junkies!) and the Drifters (banjo/dobro/mandolinist Dan Mazer and upright bassist Johnny Lawless) may be all over the literal map—hitting the highway on jaunty opener “Interstate Blues”, hanging out with a hobo on “Gonna Ride a Train”, and making like Reverend Horton Heat’s kid brother on “Drug Train”—but these peripatetic souls know exactly how they want to get wherever it is they’re going: with plenty of old-school fiddle-and-banjo-soaked honky tonk. Too, the band tosses out the requisite shout-outs to their country forebears Messrs Cash and Williams Sr. either explicitly, as on the title track, or implicitly (“They’ll Only Play My Music When I’m Dead”), as any respectful country band should. Of course, the band pulls off the highway long enough to flip the bird to some women who’ve done Beverley wrong—“I Don’t Give A Damn” (“I’d chop off every finger I got / If it keeps me safe from you”... though presumably he’s keeping one finger intact) and “Thank You For Giving Me The Blues”, before putting the rubber back on the road, cackling all the way. Thank goodness someone remembered that road trips are supposed to be fun. - review by Stephen Haag

Track Listing:

01.  Interstate Blues
02.  Watch America Roll By
03.  Walked Across Texas
04.  They'll Only Play My Music When I'm Dead
05.  Me and My Blues
06.  I Don't Give a Damn
07.  Thank You For Giving Me the Blues
08.  Gonna Ride A Train
09.  End Of The Road
10.  Drug Train
11.  Don't Need No One
12.  Favorite Waste Of Time

God Damn I love this album.  I have a feeling that Beverley and the gang will be around longer than many people think.  With the current "Traditional Country" revival that's going on right now, these guys are right up front with names like Dale Watson, Wayne Hancock, Hank III and etc. 

getyousome

J.B. Beverley and The Wayward Drifters - 2006 - Dark Bar and a Jukebox

Have you ever wondered what happened to REAL country music? Sadly, it has been pushed into the underground by the image-consumed, money-making monster of the corporate music industry. These days, only a few brave souls dare to make the kind of authentic country music that honors American heritage and culture; rooted in the influence of Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and the other all-but-forgotten legends of the genre. Genuine country music reflects real life, and not the latest fashion trends. One of the strongest and most charismatic forces in the real country music arena is J.B. Beverley & The Wayward Drifters.

Originally formed in December 1998, J.B. Beverley and the Wayward Drifters have steadily made a name for themselves in the U.S. and around the world. A “retired” hobo, Beverley took his experiences from the road, the trains, and everyday American people he encounters, and molded those experiences into some of the most heartfelt, real-deal country music to see the light of day in a long time. With driving acoustic rhythm guitar, slamming upright bass slapping, amazing banjo rolls, and other blistering accompaniment, Beverley and his “high lonesome” voice have earned a solid reputation for their live shows.

J.B. Beverley and his Wayward Drifters’ endless life on the road is studded with highlights, including a 7 week tour with Hank Williams III and shows with contemporary greats like Wayne “The Train” Hancock, Dale Watson and Lee Rocker. They have been joined on stage by legendary Commander Cody guitar picker Bill Kirchen, and other friends in the music community. The band also has made fans out of the likes of John Carter Cash, Slim Jim Phantom of the Stray Cats, Bruce Springsteen, and Piedmont Blues great Warner Williams.

J.B. Beverley & The Wayward Drifters have been featured on several radio and TV programs, including the MHZ Network's "Spotlight", Austin's Capzeyes TV, and radio shows like Colorado's KRFC "Live at Lunch, and Knoxville's WDVX FM. The band has released two heavily-circulated demos, and a full-length studio CD entitled “Dark Bar & A Jukebox” (Helltrain Records). The band toured relentlessly for over two years in support of "Dark Bar", and also wound up the subject of an upcoming documentary road film by Wayward Souls Productions out of New Mexico.

In 2008, J.B. opened Rebel Roots Studio in Richmond, VA to record and produce "Watch America Roll By", the band's sophomore effort. Described as "an organic road record that may as well have soil falling off it's roots", the new CD is stirring up quite the buzz amongst Wayward Drifters fans and roots-music enthusiasts alike. - taken from their Myspace

2006 - Dark Bar and a Jukebox

Track Listing:

1.Shoulda' Thought About It
2.Dark Bar and a Jukebox
3.Memories of You
4.Before They Get Those Cuffs On Me
5.Lonesome, Loaded and Cold
6.Chase Down These Blues
7.Highway Blue
8.Drinkin' Bourbon
9.Going to the Show
10.Ghost of Old DC
11.Rainin' in Philly
12.Train Song   
13.Wayward Drifter


This is another GREAT country album.  If you enjoyed the other Outlaw/Alt/Traditional Country albums that I have been posting be sure to check out this one. 

Highway Blue