| RANDY
WALLER - Self-Titled
Lendel Records LR-5401
9188 James Madison Hwy.,
Warrenton, VA. 20186
Playing Time - 48:57
Lendel Records is a new label created in 2003 to promote and serve the clients
of Len Holsclaw's Lendel Agency, in business since l971, which was the sole management
and booking agency for The Country Gentlemen from l971-1998. The label's first
album release showcases Charlie Waller's son, Randy, who was born in 1959 and
grew up with the bluegrass music of his father. In 1963, Charlie made a promise
to one day give his 1937 Martin D-28 guitar to his son. After Randy's graduation,
he embarked on a solo career as a country musician and guitar teacher. It was
on Christmas in 2002 that his father's guitar was passed on to the next generation.
Randy's original song, "Daddy's Old Guitar," tells the story.
With this debut release, Randy returns to his bluegrass roots for the singer,
songwriter and instrumentalist who is currently working with his father (since
2003) as a member of The Country Gentlemen. A short time after he started appearing
with the group, fans started asking for an album that documents his impressive
rendition of "Old Rugged Cross." Waller penned some originals for the
project including "The Vision," "Little Red Shoes," and "Rough
and Ready." These three numbers demonstrate Waller's unique ability to successfully
pen first-rate songs within the bluegrass gospel, western swing, and country genres.
Covers include Carl Jackson's "Love's Tombstone" and "Blue,
Blue Morning" and "A Sad Song Don't Care Whose Heart it Breaks."
and songs that were recorded by the Marshall Tucker Band ("This Ol' Cowboy")
and Bonnie Raitt ("Give It Up or Let Me Go"). "This Ol' Cowboy"
has a nice beat and catchy little riff. Randy's resonator guitar is a featured
instrument on "The Ballad of Curtis Loew," a story of a young boy's
friendship and respect for an old black dobro master who played the blues. Interestingly,
that song also recently appeared on Larry Cordle's "Lonesome Skynyrd Time"
project.
The accompanists include a number of present and former Country Gentlemen. Jimmy
Gaudreau's mandolin and mandola are always a treat to hear. Eddie and Martha Adcock
sing beautiful vocal harmonies. A friend from Randy's teenage years, Mike Moore,
was enlisted to play bass. Sammy Shelor (Lonesome River Band) picks the five-string
banjo, and well-known Nashville session fiddler Aubrey Haynie offers some hot
licks and fills. Tim Austin engineered the project.
Randy Waller certainly doesn't sing with a high lonesome bluegrass sound. Instead,
his full baritone gives a very smooth delivery that is equally comfortable with
country, gospel, bluegrass and blues music. Randy's diverse instrumental and vocal
abilities will open many doors for him. Closer to acoustic country than his father's
hard-driving bluegrass, Randy Waller's sound is very relaxed and enjoyable. His
voice even reminds me, at times, of a young Merle Haggard. That's the main reason
why I really like this project. - Joe Ross-
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