Tim Brough's Black Leather Bookshelf

Can't buy me love
3 Out Of 5 Stars 

The second and best album from Texans Fastball was a clever mix of witty pop with shades of the Kinks and Elvis Costello. As exemplified by the hit, "The Way," they blended sunny melodies with somber themes (the suicide of a senior couple) to a terrific effect. I've always been a sucker for this kind of guitar based pop, and "All The Pain Money Can Buy" is no exception.

Guitarist/vocalist Miles Zuniga, bassist/vocalist Tony Scalzo share lead vocals throughout, helping sustain the variety of the album. (Plus there's the groovy "Which Way to The Top," featuring female singer Poe.) "Out Of My Head" has a cool organ to its credit (and was also a modest hit), while "Good Old Days" has a riffing horn section. But the band was good at throwing curveballs, like the darker "Charlie The Methadone Man," glamorizing the pimped out dealer who is on a loser's course. I loved the dichotomy of the band's work at the time, and still have a soft spot for "All The Pain Money Can Buy." Nothing groundbreaking, but good stuff.

Puppy Love
5 Out of 5 Stars

Denis is having a rotten week. He just lost his job of 11 years. His relationship is gone stale, and rocky. His Mother, a sweet and overbearing woman, is seriously ill. With all the turmoil going on around him, what does Mom suggest? "Get a dog." But when Dennis goes to the pound and can't decide which dog he wants, the one he finally chooses is gone when he goes back. When he finds out why, Dennis decides exactly what his modern mid-life crisis needs.

He makes his "Abrupt Decision" (the fifth feature from filmmaker Paul Bright) when he realizes that his creative collapse mirrors that of the dogs' dangerous lives. With some inspiration from his Mom (Cynthia Schiebel) and the reluctant support of his partner, Milosz (David LaDuca), Denis (Steve Callahan) decides that saving the lives of animals and educating people on their care is his way into a meaningful second act. You know how the saying goes, if you don't want to be upstaged in a movie, stay away from children and dogs? Despite the superb job by Steve and David, the pups are "Abrupt Decision's" scene stealers. But beware. Even with the cute pooches running amuck, this is a very emotionally striking movie.





In the new economy, where men like Denis can find their lives upended and discover that your expertise vaporized after 50 (along with a funny montage of a degenerating series of interviews -  featuring me), there are many among us who will relate to the impact of "Abrupt Decision's" story. As Denis struggles to find the right decisions in matters of utmost importance, you may put down the doggy treats and reach for the hankies. I'll certainly say that the film is a must-see for pet-lovers, but it also carries an intimate, personal life story.

When I See You Down, I Wanna Pick You Up
4 Out Of 5 Stars

Regular readers of my reviews or blog probably already know that Sara Hickman is not only one of my favorite singer songwriters, but someone I feel is also a friend and an inspiration. I've seen her perform multiple times, she even thanked me on her second album. Naturally, I'm predisposed to just about anything she gets together. "The Best of Times," an all-star Texas Tribute to her songs and a charity project for the Theater Action Project (a Texas educational charity for children in the performing arts), was something I just had to have. It's even better than I expected.

While the album is a double disc mash-up of styles and artists, Sara's immense skill as a writer now can be seem as something that crosses all styles. Several of the musicians/performers are ones you'll recognize if you're not necessarily a follower of all things Lone Star, like Shawn Colvin, Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians, Darden Smith, Brave Combo or Charlie Sexton, and some that deserve more, like the soulful treatment Ray Von Foster gives to "Give It Every Little Thing You've Got" and the same with LZ Love's version of "I Couldn't Help Myself" (which may have been Sara's closest thing to a hit.

I'll admit to my personal favorites at this point, which are Edie Brickell's version of "Shadowboxing," The Flatlanders' "Comfort's Sigh," "Under The Sycamore Tree" by Robert Earl Keen and the title song jointly performed by Trish Murphy and Charlie Sexton. But no matter how hard anyone tries, they all have to stand aside to Willie Nelson. Willie takes what has always been my absolute favorite Sara love song, "Simply," and turns it into classic Willie. If there was justice to be had in this world, his new version of "Simply" would be topping the country charts, giving Willie a third, fourth or maybe fifth career resurrection, and make "Simply" the wedding standard it has always deserved to be. Yes, Willie's version really is that magnificent.

In my estimation, so is Sara. This album came about because Sara was named "State Musician of Texas," an honor previously bestowed on the likes of Willie and Lyle Lovett. She is using her time with this title to help raise awareness of the need for arts in the Texas educational system, and 100% of the proceeds of this album are going to the aforementioned TAP charity. It's all star music from some all star Texans, performing the music of a woman who - in my eyes anyway - has always been a star. "The Best of Times" should be your gateway into some of Sara's best albums. Please support this effort.

Friday night on ABC's 20/20, while doing a story about the typical psychotic people who murder that is their new stock-in-trade, they began to talk about a case in Texas. This was the sign they used as the "location shot":




Which begs the questions: Texas Dept of Highways; Really?
And ABC Network News: Were you trying to be ironic? Really?

Day 06. A song that reminds you of somewhere

No matter what, Cowboy Mouth's "Jenny Says" will always be cemented to Austin TX. The year I worked there, it was a constant presence on the radio, and outside my own playlists, I have never heard it anyplace else.