Mescalito

by Ryan Bingham

Overview

Loneliness runs rampant in Texas, where arid flatlands and empty highways converge to influence some of country music's best songwriting. Newcomer Ryan Bingham is happy to use such geography as his muse, and he makes his major-label debut with Mescalito, a bilingual collection of Americana that often delves into roadhouse country-rock. To those familiar with the genre, Bingham's lyrics are somewhat predictable accounts of hard times, rivers' edges, and fieldwork, all sung in a wizened rasp whose sandpapered texture is impressive coming from a 25-year-old. Years of sleeping outside rodeo arenas in a truck bed have done a number on Bingham's throat, and when he croaks lyrics like, "I've been working in the goddamn sun for just one dollar a day," it's all too tempting to believe him. When he's singing about marijuana plants or casually slipping into Spanish during a Mexican ballad, Bingham truly distinguishes himself from his country contemporaries, playing the rugged outlaw to Nashville's smooth Rascal Flatts. Where he falters is the album's homogeneity, however, as too many tracks adopt a midtempo pace whose haunting effect wears thin. One can't help but wish for more country-rock grit, but Mescalito still bodes well for his future work. ~ Andrew Leahey

Product Details

Release Date:	10/02/2007
Label:	Lost Highway / Loki
UPC:	0602517467439
Rank:	5173

Tracks

1. Southside of Heaven
2. The Other Side
3. Bread & Water
4. Don't Wait For Me
5. Boracho Station
6. Sunshine
7. Ghost of Travelin' Jones
8. Hard Times
9. Dollar a Day
10. Take It Easy Mama
11. Long Way From Georgia
12. Ever Wonder Why
13. Sunrise
14. For What It's Worth

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Ryan Bingham   Primary Artist,Shaker,Vocals,Harmonica,Handclapping,Slide Guitar,Foot Stomping,Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)
Terry Allen   Piano,Vocals
Jason Carter   Fiddle
Joe Allen   Bass,Bass
John Bazz   Bass (Upright)
Doug Moreland   Fiddle
Mike Starr   Fiddle,Slide Guitar
Anthony Arvizu   Tambourine
Bukka Allen   Accordion
Rick Lonow   Drums,Percussion
Marc Ford   Bass,Hi Hat,Shaker,Papoose,Tambourine,Slide Guitar,Lap Steel Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Bass,Hi Hat,Shaker,Papoose,Tambourine,Slide Guitar,Organ (Hammond),Lap Steel Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Brian Standefer   Cello
Mike Malone   Piano,Organ (Hammond),Piano
Corby Schaub   Mandolin,Handclapping,Kettle Drums,Foot Stomping,Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Matt Smith   Drums,Percussion
Stephane Bossard   Banjo
Stephane Beaussard   Banjo

Technical Credits

Jeff Lightning Lewis   Assistant Engineer
David Ferguson   Engineer
Anthony Arvizu   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Ryan Bingham   Composer
Carlton Moody   Producer
Brian Standefer   Engineer
Kevin Bartley   Mastering
Marc Ford   Mixing,Producer
Kim Buie   A&R
Lucas Hoge   Producer
Jon Gries   Photography
Brent Bowers   Artist Coordination
Boyd Elder   Illustrations
Coy Koehler   Photography
Karen Naff   Design
David Krepinevich   Assistant Engineer
Melanie Bellomo   Cover Photo