Chris Wall
Just Another Place

(Cold Spring)

First Appeared at The Music Box, May 2003, Volume 10, #5

Written by T.J. Simon

Former ranch hand and Montana native Chris Wall is the real deal. With a bearded and leathery exterior and a road-weary voice reminiscent of Kris Kristofferson and Chip Taylor, Wall is a true C&W troubadour making a living performing his simple songs in the few roadhouses and saloons remaining in the American West. His latest release Just Another Place is a thematic tour of a journeyman’s life on the road.

Wall can certainly carry a tune, yet he needs to learn his own vocal range and realize that a digital recording on a CD is less forgiving than honky-tonk audiences with bellies full of Lone Star. Despite some shaky moments, this is a strong release relying on the no-frills songwriting featured on selections such as Color It Blue and Hank William’s Cadillac. The title track is also an enjoyable number thanks to the winning combination of Kenny Grimes’ country flamenco guitar picking and Wall’s too-true lyrics. When he sings about drinking a Stuckey’s pecan milkshake, you just know he’s singing from experience. While Just Another Place is far from being a perfect country album, it has the one quality missing in mainstream country music today: authenticity. And that makes all the difference in the world.

Ratings

1 Star: Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!

Copyright © 2003 The Music Box