The Lucky Tomblin Band
(Texas World Records) Lucky Tomblin is an old running buddy of Doug Sahm’s, which no doubt explains Augie Myers’ accordion on one song. For his first solo disc, Tomblin rounds up local all-stars Earl Poole Ball (piano), Redd Volkaert (guitar), Cindy Cashdollar (steel), and Sarah Brown (bass) for 11 suave country numbers. “Ain’t No Piece of Cake” and “Never Slept a Wink” honky-tonk with the best of them, some tasteful guitar and steel interplay and Tomblin’s lazy drawl draped over the top. Tomblin is at his best on the weepers and two-steppers, and at his weakest on the lyrical abstractions of “Soul in Time,” a gorgeous, spiritual sort of love song that sounds a little out of place alongside LTB‘s country tunes. What makes the album remarkable is the flawless playing and arrangements; check out the solo work on the bluesy shuffle “Out of Your Mind” and how it perfectly complements Tomblin’s honeyed delivery. The closer is Augie Myers’ “Please Don’t Tease Me,” a languid, Texas-style shuffle that wraps up the disc in fine style. Tomblin’s world-weary songs and supporting cast do in fact please, not tease.
This article appears in October 17 • 2003.