Search - Ray Wylie Hubbard :: Loco Gringo's Lament

THE ORIGINAL OKLAHOMA COUNTRY OULAW

Patrick Earley | Edmond, Oklahoma USA | 03/17/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From the moment I heard those first words " I come from Oklahoma with a pistol in my boot, a pair of dice, a deck of cards, and a bible in my suit", I knew I was hooked big time on this fantastic country album. This record marked Ray Wylie Hubbard's comeback in 1994. And it's pretty obvious he had a lot of great songs saved up from those many years spent on the road. For me, Hubbard is the ultimate storyteller, and the most underappreciated and overlooked of all the country songwriters. He is the original country rebel outlaw from Soper, Oklahoma. Hubbard is probably most famous for writing the country cult classic "UP AGAINST THE WALL REDNECK MOTHER" for fellow country outlaw Jerry Jeff Walker. This song temporialy made Hubbard a name in Nashville. But he thumbed his nose at Nashville and formed the original alternative country rock band RAY HUBBARD AND THE COWBOY TWINKIES. On any night you could find these guys playing a Merle Haggard song one minute, and turn around and do a Led Zepplin song the next. Sounds like my kind of band. But not exactly Grand Ole Opry material. After all these years of struggling with obscurity, it brings us to "Loco Gringo's Lament". For me, every song on here is a hook laden classic. There are no duds here. If your not careful, you'll catch yourself humming or singing these tunes long after the music's over. Some of my favorites among the favorites on here are "AFTER THE FALL", which has a simple, yet catchy guitar rhythm to it that I'm sure some aspiring songwriters out there are kicking themselves for not thinking of first. I promise you'll press the repeat button on this one. Hubbard shows that he still has some of that rebel rock left in him with "LITTLE ANGEL COMES A WALKIN'" and "WANNA ROCK AND ROLL". A couple great rockers that I'm sure will be covered by somebody out there someday. But the real gem on here is "THE REAL TRICK". Have you ever heard a country song with a congo beat? Well, you get it here. This is one great piece of songwriting. And it just may be the best country song I've ever heard. I still can't believe to this day that this album didn't become a huge hit. The main reason why it probably didn't make it is that it was released on the obscure indie label Deja Disc when I bought it back in 1994, so it never got promoted like it should have. Heck, The album cover on it isn't even the same anymore. But the great music is still there. Many of the songs on here are about life on the road, and I can't think of a better cd to take along with me when I go on those long boring road trips than this one. Whether I'm traveling through the desert or stuck on a desert island, the one disc I know for sure I'll be taking with me is "Loco Gringo's Lament"."

Ray Wylie's Coming Back Strong

Mike O'Neil | Dallas, TX | 10/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Loco Gringo's Lament is a CD I have had for a couple of years now. It is truly among the very best I own. I almost never take a long road trip with out bringing it with me. Ray Wylie Hubbard may be best known for up Against the Wall Redneck Mother, but with Loco Gringo's Lament you have great driving music and very thoughtful and profound lyrics. While all the selections are good my favorites are Dust of the Chase, After the Fall, Wanna Rock & Roll, The Real Trick and the Messenger. I don't think you will be disappointed. You may also want to grab its sequel Dangerous Spirits another excellent release from Ray Wylie Hubbard."

The one ray wylie cd you need

mfosnaugh | bowling green, ohio United States | 01/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ray Wylie remains one of Texas's best kept secrets. Dust of the Chase and the title song, Loco Gringo's Lament are the best cuts on the CD. The whole album is well written and the songs are thought provoking (as much of Ray Wylies' material is.) Overall this CD made my top 13 of all time list."