Search - Red Steagall :: Here We Go Again

Red Steagall, the Official Cowboy Poet of Texas who started his career as a mainstream country artist before saddling up with the western set, always comes across as an experienced cowpoke who's lived pert near all of the situations of his songs, whether they're set at the rodeo or in the roadhouse. Like most of his bandana'd ilk, though, there's always a bit of scratchy sagebrush in his baritone. That's why it was a good idea for Steagall to invite some of friends along for the ride on this, his 22nd album. Reba McEntire, who got her major-label break through Steagall's efforts, supplies the angst on the title song, one of the "can't leave him/her alone" tunes, and on "Lone Star Beer and Bob Wills Music," Toby Keith politely rides shotgun without upstaging his elder. If the star wattage dims after that (Neal McCoy, Larry Gatlin), it doesn't much matter, because what counts here is being able to revel in the western spirit. Throughout, Steagall employs some respectable western/swing accompaniment (the low point, ironically, arrives on "Bob's Got a Swing Band," with saddle pal Ray Benson), and he tries mightily to keep the sentimental stories (a cowboy's last ride, a favorite horse's grazing in eternal pastures) from getting too maudlin. Aw, that's all right, Red. Bring 'em on. We'd sit around a campfire with you any day. --Alanna Nash