charlie crockett welcome to hard times

​Charley Crockett (from the album Welcome to Hard Times available on Son of Davy Records) (by Bryant Liggett)
A strolling piano kicks off the latest from Charley Crockett, rolling into a mid-tempo melody that plays behind Crockett’s truisms, reminding us the ‘dice are loaded, and everything’s fixed, even a hobo would tell you this’.  The title track and following cuts that make up Welcome to Hard Times are filled with similar statements and admissions, humanizing, down-to-earth, gut-punch narratives, delivered with Charley Crockett’s dry tone. Charley’s warm vocals and the information they convey come across as sought-after advice from a trusted friend.  Beyond the lyrics grab are two-stepping melodies and acoustic blues that give the tales toe-tapping rhythms. 
“Run Horse Run” is a punked-up, punchy tale where the man on the run in Crockett’s tale is also a horse on the track with a job to do, an audio support backing complete with a few Country Dick inspired ‘Hey-Ya’s’. Charley Crockett connects the dots between Classic Country and old school R&B as cuts like “Don’t Cry”, “Lilly My Dear”, and “Wreck Me” all come carry a sad, slow groove, a Roots nod to 1960’s Soul, the ones that are real tearjerkers. He keeps the vintage vibe alive when “Paint It Blue”, “Blackjack County Chain”, and “Poplar Tree” become Marty Robbins-inspired Western ballads. Welcome to Hard Times is as much a Country Soul record as it is a Classic Country record, Charley Crockett proving capable at both, able to pull off Sam Cooke as easy as Hank Williams. You could say his boots are comfortable on both sides of the fence, but Charley Crockett has pulled the fence down and plays in one big field.  (by Bryant Liggett)
 
Listen and buy the music of Charley Crockett from AMAZON
For more information, please visit the Charley Crockett website
 
 

---