Behind the Barn with the B Stars CD

The B Stars
Behind the Barn with the B Stars CD

A particularly strong debut for San Fransisco based combo The B Stars.
This five piece band rips through a set a good ol' country music. Two band members compose the songs - and they know how to write songs that sound like little classics - which also keeps the set varied.
You'll only find two cover songs, Gene O'Quinn's Texas Boogie and Carl Smith's Back Up Buddy, Smith being an obvious influence on the band.
Carl Sonny Leyland sits in on piano on four tracks adding a good dose of country boogie and Rock 'n' Roll (on Pretty Baby) to the mix. There's also some country swing (Duckin' and Dodgin'), a bit of Bakersfield (Women and WIne, Sweet Little Things) and the superb Hank Williams influenced Trouble Free State Of Mind.
It is tastefully produced by Lee Jeffriess and you can hear his touch on some steel guitar/guitar arrangements reminiscent of his work with Ashley Kingman in the Fly Rite Boys.
If Carl Smith, Hank Williams, Merrill Moore, Wayne Hancock, Big Sandy are sweet words to your ears, be sure to add the B-Stars to your list. It's not only a pleasure for your ears, but also for your eyes as it comes in a nicely designed digipack.
Review by Fred "Virgil" Turgis - www.jumpingfrom6to6.com