by Bea Willis
The Texas Gentlemen are set to release their debut album TX Jelly on September 15th, 2017. The album moves between contemplative and raucous, encompassing the full breadth of the American music experience. The 11-song set was cut live in four days at the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, AL and was produced by band leader and organist Beau Bedford. With a style that embraces: blues, soul, folk, country, rock, and gospel, TX Jelly is an audio treat to hear. Band captain, Bedford explains; “As a band, we like to laugh a lot. The wit runs deep with this crew — so much so, I can barely keep up.” The Lone Star-bred collective is an ever-evolving cast of characters based around the core sextet of Beau Bedford, Nik Lee, Daniel Creamer, Matt McDonald, Ryan Ake, and Scott Lee.
The Texas Gentlemen have been making waves as one of the most in-demand band of players in country, rock, and pop. The first single “Pain,” written and sung by pianist Daniel Creamer, is a perfect first impression song, their rootsy mix of southern rock and folk presented with an upbeat feel will win you over to their side of the fence. Creamer’s vocals are a treat to hear and the band is first-rate.
The album opener “Habbie Doobie,” is built around vintage country-funk guitar riffs that jumps out of the speakers. The blues form is the song structure and the band builds the groove with no rush to get to the vocals. The lead guitar sound will put hair on your ears, in a good way though, this is a bluesy, southern funky jam and it works. Everybody sings “Habbie Doobie” with Bedford providing fills and encouragement both vocally and on the organ and piano. There is a nice interlude that breaks down the feel and builds it up again. There is so much mojo in this band that you can’t help but feel it.
TX Jelly is performed by a band that obviously has a kinship and a deep hunger as a group to collectively build upon American-roots-music. You can hear The Texas Gentlemen reaching deep inside themselves to bring out what is pure and genuine. TX Jelly smoothly links many styles of our great American traditions to bring us music full of skill and hard-won authenticity.
Tracks to sample first: “Habbie Doobie,” “Pain,” “Bondurant Women” and “Superstition.” The song to take a chance on is “Shakin All Over.”
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