Search - Joe Bonson & Coffee Run :: Love Train

+1/2 -- Bluegrass tinged country

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 06/18/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Bonson's first love is clearly the hillbilly harmonies of bluegrass, and though Coffee Run doesn't present itself as traditional grassers (most notably due to the presence of drums and some electric guitar), there's enough acoustic picking and tight harmonizing to intrigue the faithful. A selection of high-profile covers shows off Bonson's varied vocal influences: Merle Haggard (and in the banjo-lined arrangement, Glen Campbell) can be heard in a sweetly-sad take of "Mama Tried," and George Jones' bends and slips feed "I Wouldn't Change You If I Could" and "Jesus and Bartenders."



The latter, a truly original drinkin' tune from the pen of Larry Cordell, reflects the success Coffee Run's had on the Christian Country charts. But like the best crossover material, the religious messages are a product of the songs' themes, rather than the themes themselves; Bonson seems to be an artist who's a Christian, rather than a Christian artist. Two originals ("Dreams" and "More Than Just a Man") fit smoothly between covers from the pens of Dallas Frazier, Buck Owens and Hank Williams. 3-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings."