MA DRIVER
''MA DRIVER''
2001
47:59
1 - Let's Roll 00:07
2 - Dollar A Minute 04:26
3 - Too Far Gone 05:01
4 - Job At Hand 04:57
5 - Let Her Fly 03:40
6 - High As I Wanna Be 03:58
7 - Sleight Of Hand 02:59
8 - Two Dollar Kite 03:43
9 - The Mountains And The Moonshine 03:43
10 - Sisters 04:37
11 - Wounded Puzzle 03:54
12 - Keep Things Simple 06:59
Zak Perry - Vocals, Electric and Acoustic Guitars
Vern Vennard - Electric, Acoustic and Slide Guitars
Jason Charron - Drums and Percussion
Dave Olson - Bass Guitar
REVIEW
By Viewpoint Records
It was about 25 years ago, and as usual I was rummaging through a local record store in search of another great album (remember these?). As I was reading the album info on some now forgotten recording, the store clerk, as was their practice, put a newly released album on the store's turntable (remember these?). From the opening notes of the first track of this then unknown album, I knew that this was music that I was really going to like. The sound was a blend of southern rock, hard rock, blues, with a dash of country. The vocals were passionate, the songs well written, the players talented, and the energy level high. I immediately went to the checkout area and purchased the record.
The album I heard that day was the debut recording of .38 Special. It is still one of my favorite recordings, though
regrettably I never liked any of their subsequent recordings nearly as well, as the band seemed later to adjust their sound to become more Top 40 friendly. While commercially this was the proper avenue for them to have followed, I never heard quite the same magic in later recordings as I did in their debut.
I do, however, hear that same magic in the self-titled debut recording of Austin based blues/rock band Ma Driver. While I would generally categorize this recording as southern rock-Texas blues/rock, the band exhibits a variety of influences. Like the work of the California based band Stone, I consider this American music, as it represents influences from a very broad range of styles. It is blue collar, working man's music with plenty of heart and minus the modern fluff. The opening tune "Dollar A Minute" is very much southern rock ala .38 Special/Allman Brothers and indeed there are several similar tracks on the CD. There are some harder rock tracks which may remind you of Gov't Mule's work. The band also blends acoustic and electric guitars as well as any band I have heard lately. No matter what influences you may hear, the songs are all first rate. The songwriting on this CD is outstanding, and the lyrics of 10 of the 11 tracks are from the talented pen of Zak Perry.
While the entire recording is excellent, I will in particular mention the powerfully emotional "Too Far Gone" which is my personal favorite, the hard driving "Wounded Puzzle", and the Warren Haynes like "Job At Hand". Again, the tracks are all enjoyable and Perry more than adequately demonstrates on this CD that he is a songwriter of considerable ability.
"Ma Driver" is available from the very fine folks at Viewpoint Records at www.viewpointrecords.com . Viewpoint is also home to the splendid "Way Beyond The Blues" CD from the Joe Richardson Express, also based in Austin. Both Ma Driver's debut CD and Richardson's "Way Beyond The Blues" come to you complete with Bluesrockers highest recommendation.
''MA DRIVER''
2001
47:59
1 - Let's Roll 00:07
2 - Dollar A Minute 04:26
3 - Too Far Gone 05:01
4 - Job At Hand 04:57
5 - Let Her Fly 03:40
6 - High As I Wanna Be 03:58
7 - Sleight Of Hand 02:59
8 - Two Dollar Kite 03:43
9 - The Mountains And The Moonshine 03:43
10 - Sisters 04:37
11 - Wounded Puzzle 03:54
12 - Keep Things Simple 06:59
Zak Perry - Vocals, Electric and Acoustic Guitars
Vern Vennard - Electric, Acoustic and Slide Guitars
Jason Charron - Drums and Percussion
Dave Olson - Bass Guitar
REVIEW
By Viewpoint Records
It was about 25 years ago, and as usual I was rummaging through a local record store in search of another great album (remember these?). As I was reading the album info on some now forgotten recording, the store clerk, as was their practice, put a newly released album on the store's turntable (remember these?). From the opening notes of the first track of this then unknown album, I knew that this was music that I was really going to like. The sound was a blend of southern rock, hard rock, blues, with a dash of country. The vocals were passionate, the songs well written, the players talented, and the energy level high. I immediately went to the checkout area and purchased the record.
The album I heard that day was the debut recording of .38 Special. It is still one of my favorite recordings, though
regrettably I never liked any of their subsequent recordings nearly as well, as the band seemed later to adjust their sound to become more Top 40 friendly. While commercially this was the proper avenue for them to have followed, I never heard quite the same magic in later recordings as I did in their debut.
I do, however, hear that same magic in the self-titled debut recording of Austin based blues/rock band Ma Driver. While I would generally categorize this recording as southern rock-Texas blues/rock, the band exhibits a variety of influences. Like the work of the California based band Stone, I consider this American music, as it represents influences from a very broad range of styles. It is blue collar, working man's music with plenty of heart and minus the modern fluff. The opening tune "Dollar A Minute" is very much southern rock ala .38 Special/Allman Brothers and indeed there are several similar tracks on the CD. There are some harder rock tracks which may remind you of Gov't Mule's work. The band also blends acoustic and electric guitars as well as any band I have heard lately. No matter what influences you may hear, the songs are all first rate. The songwriting on this CD is outstanding, and the lyrics of 10 of the 11 tracks are from the talented pen of Zak Perry.
While the entire recording is excellent, I will in particular mention the powerfully emotional "Too Far Gone" which is my personal favorite, the hard driving "Wounded Puzzle", and the Warren Haynes like "Job At Hand". Again, the tracks are all enjoyable and Perry more than adequately demonstrates on this CD that he is a songwriter of considerable ability.
"Ma Driver" is available from the very fine folks at Viewpoint Records at www.viewpointrecords.com . Viewpoint is also home to the splendid "Way Beyond The Blues" CD from the Joe Richardson Express, also based in Austin. Both Ma Driver's debut CD and Richardson's "Way Beyond The Blues" come to you complete with Bluesrockers highest recommendation.
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