Mark Stuart & the Bastard Sons

Bend in the Road (Texacali)

Stuart was smart to drop “of Johnny Cash” from his Bastard Sons, even with the Man in Black’s approval. That novelty got in the way of the new Austinite’s roots-bound direction on Bend in the Road. He’s on the familiar path of life’s ever-changing landscape, rendering covers (Billy Joe Shaver’s “I’m Just an Old Chunk of Coal”) and originals (“Lonestar, Lovestruck, Blues”) with tough denim style.

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This article appears in August 14 • 2009.

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