The Moonhangers
The Last of the New York Sessions (Bloodchili)
Reviewed by Darcie Stevens, Fri., Feb. 8, 2008
The Moonhangers
The Last of the New York Sessions (Bloodchili)Women, drink, and broken hearts: The Moonhangers like their country honest. And when Doug Strahan's delicate voice starts a-quiverin', it's lights out. His warning shot, "Steppin' Out," deals in regret, just like the rest of these New York Sessions. Ethan Shaw's baritone gets low-down and blues on "I've Been Down," the two frontmen coming together for spot-on Western swing of "3 A.M." Icing down the zydeco ("Crabs and Crawfish"), riffing ZZ Top ("Take Your Time"), and the "Pain, Pain" of Appalachia all result in jaw-in-you-beer musicianship. The local trio's alter ego, Chili Cold Blood, shows up in the funky "Take Your Time," but it's tradition that makes you want to cry: "Party of One," "Lifetime Commitment," and closer "Well to Do Man." This is sawdust-and-leather country worthy of a cold Lone Star on the Broken Spoke's dance rink. Get James White on the horn.
