P W Long's Reelfoot We Didn't See You On Sunday CD

P.W. Long manages to create an album that has more mood swings than a manic depressive. Topics range from pained moments about his mom being ill to the happiness of adding a new dog to his life ("Jelly"). Although there are loud electric numbers and softer acoustic pieces, there is no unevenness to the music due to the fact that all of the songs are in a country-rock vein. This is exemplified especially well on the traditional piece "Bound to Ride," where -- if you close your eyes for just a moment -- you can envision a barn filled with dancers in ten-gallon hats kicking their boots up as Long and fiddle player Casey Driessen stand on top of a bale of hay flailing at their instruments. Long demonstrates his typical gruff and nasal voice to add the proper amount of twang to his emotion-filled music ("I'll Be Your Angel," "Aw Bruiser"). He even recreates past energy as he gets rowdy on "The Shakin' Fears," which rivals Mule's "Mississippi Breaks" in persuading you to raise a glass of Jim Beam in the air and get into a fistfight. What you see is what you get with Long's contemplative and unpretentious music. ~ Stephen Howell

Liner Note Author: Strazz.

Recording information: Chicago Recording Company, Chicago, IL (??/1996-01/1997); Chicago, IL (??/1996-01/1997); Philadelphia, PA (??/1996-01/1997).

Photographers: Ewolf; Doug Coombe; David Babbitt.

Arranger: P.W. Long.

Personnel: Mac McNeilly (vocals, drums, background vocals); Preston Long (vocals); Casey Driessen (fiddle); Jeremy Jacobsen (organ).

Audio Mixer: Steve Albini.