The Man From Waco
Artist: Charley Crockett
Released: September 9th, 2022
Length: 44 minutes
Welcome to Week 3! I’m really excited for this review because I want to try a new format. This website is not a dictatorship and I’ve listened to feedback and what I’ve heard the most is that the reviews are a tad long. As I reviewed my work I thought well…shit, they are kind of long. So I’ll try to make this a little bit more user friendly and please, keep the feedback coming!
This week we are all going to put on our cowboy hats and boots, attempt southern accents, and dive into The Man from Waco by Charley Crockett. The first song I ever heard by him was “Trinity River” (on this album) while driving with my cousin and I was immediately captivated by it. The next day I dove into the album and for the past two years it has become a loyal companion. Let’s get into it ya’ll…
Track Listing:
“The Man from Waco Theme”
“Cowboy Candy”
“Time of the Cottonwood Trees”
“Just Like Honey”
“I’m Just a Clown”
“Black Sedan”
“The Man from Waco”
“Trinity River”
“Tom Turkey”
“Odessa”
“All the Way from Atlanta”
“Horse Thief Mesa”
“July Jackson”
“The Man from Waco Finale”
“Name on a Billboard”
Overall Thoughts
Country is not for everybody. It took me until I was a senior in high school to start liking a few songs and now I would consider myself a big fan of the genre. I specifically like what I call “bonfire music” which is country that isn’t pop-oriented (think Morgan Wallen, he’s great but come on, he does make pop-country). Bonfire music is simple, tells great stories, and generally feels easy-going. This album is exactly that.
For non-country people, I’d imagine you have the stereotypes in your head (just as I once did) that country music is singing about beer, tractors, ranches, so on and so on. Sure, that is true but country can be more than that. I think this album deviates from those stereotypes enough that a non-country person will enjoy at least a few songs.
To me, this album follows the story and journey of “The Man from Waco.” A traveler who has visited different cities, experienced joy and heartbreak, and is searching for his place in this world. Charley Crockett himself grew up in different parts of Texas and spent some of his childhood in New Orleans, so it feels as if he has created this fictional version of himself inspired by the sounds and sights he experienced.
Musically speaking, there is a lot to like about this album. What stands out to me the most is the use of the trumpet. In “Trinity River” the trumpet screams New Orleans. I have been twice and the live music on Bourbon Street and Frenchman Street is incredible. “Trinity River” brought me right back to those moments with my friends, basking in the energy of the performers. The trumpets on “The Man from Waco” differ from the NOLA vibe and lean more towards what I believe is a Mexican inspired sound. It feels more somber, but beautiful nonetheless. Another thing to listen for is the piano. Hats off to whoever is playing piano on this album because it ranges from adding fun, upbeat energy to adding notes of heartbreak while Charley sings of lost loves.
Ultimately, this album makes a New England boy like me feel like I was born and raised in the south. That is the power of music. When I sing along to this album, I do my best impression of Charley by singing as deep as I can, adding southern drawl to each word, and finding myself believing that each of these songs were my own experiences. This album makes me want to move out of New York City and go buy a plot of land in Texas (that I definitely would not be able to maintain) and live a country life.
Charley Crockett looking cool as hell here. Photo: Bobby Cochran
Song Breakdown
The songs I liked the most (no particular order):
“Time of the Cottonwood Trees”
Best lyric - ““She drove a blue pickup truck. Boy, she loved it though it really wasn’t much. Kinda like the way she loved me, in the time of the cottonwood trees.”
What a line. To feel like you aren’t much to brag about yet someone loves you because of it.
“Just Like Honey”
Fun song that I want to swing dance to, especially when the tempo speeds up at the end.
“Black Sedan”
This song snuck up on me. Didn’t think much of it at first but the more I listen the more I love the chorus and singing along with it.
“The Man from Waco”
This song is a masterful telling of a story about a man who has been cheated on and allows his rage to take over, resulting in a moment that will haunt and shame him forever.
“Trinity River”
It’s a finger snapping, head swaying, trumpet blaring kind of song.
“Odessa”
Beautifully sad song about a love that has been lost. Guitar solo adds its own sense of loss, as if it’s crying out to be reunited with the girl that walked away.
I feel a little bad about leaving some songs out of the review (except for “Tom Turkey,” not a huge fan of that song) but again, I wanted to try something new with the format of the review. I’m really interested to see what songs you all like the most, and why, and we can discuss more in the comments!
If you find yourself around a bonfire this summer, or out for a long drive while the sun sets, I recommend this album. I hope that it becomes a friend to you, as it has for me.
P.S. I am going to see Charley Crockett perform this summer and cannot wait! If you end up liking his music, I recommend listening to his latest album Live from Ryman. He sounds just as good as he does on the recorded albums. This guy should be so much bigger than he is, but that’s just my pretentious New England opinion. See you next week!
P.P.S. Charley Crockett is a descendant of Davey Crockett. That’s objectively awesome.
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