Whiskey Falls [CD review]
Submitted By
Nov 28, 2007

Whiskey Falls
Whiskey Falls [Midas Records] 2007
Produced by The Brotherhood
Review by Jennifer Webb

Though this is only Whiskey Falls' debut album, the group members (Seven Williams, Buck Johnson, Wally Brandt, and Damon Johnson) have put out an excellent album right out of the gate. I like variety when it comes to albums, so thankfully there is a good mixture of uptempo, midtempo, and slow songs on this one. The best thing is the group's harmonies and there's plenty of that to go around.

"Falling Into You" is what one man couldn't help but do when a Mississippi girl took his breath away. The first time they met, they spent all night together drinking and taking a dip in the lake until dawn. The man feels exhilarated when he's with her. In the next song, "The Night Ain't Over Yet" and there's still plenty of time to do the things they might regret tomorrow. Just when you think things have reached the limit on craziness, a second wind comes into the picture and they are off once again. I love the prominent dobro sound at the end of the song. "Working Man" tells the story of what a man does during the day before he goes out to have his fun. He might put out a tough guy image, but his touch becomes soft when the occasion calls for it. "Days Of Birmingham" has country all over it - complete with steel, fiddle, and even a washboard. Growing up in the heart of Dixie is something this man will never forget, even though he moved to California because of the woman he loves. He reminisces about Esie Mae's butterbeans and cornbread, fishin' poles made out of sticks, and Dora Lee tickling the ivories. "Down in Shady Grove they do believe / You can go away but you never leave." "Let The Whiskey Fall" is a song that won't go unnoticed, even though it is close to the end of the album. It's what I like to call a "bar anthem" type of song. What that means is everything about it would be well-suited for playing in a honky-tonk full of people singing along to the song.

The first time I heard Whiskey Falls and their song, "Last Train Running," I was first struck by their harmony and then came the following lyrics: "When I close my eyes and I'm holding on to my last breath / I don't want my regrets coming back to haunt me / When it's far too late to ask forgiveness for my sins / I hope my enemies and friends can both forgive me." That's a powerful thing to think about. You only get one chance to get things right in your life and all you can do is hope you didn't blow it when the end is near. Continuing with a slower tempo is "Highway 59," which is the road that is taking a man away from the woman he has loved for so long. After he kissed her one last time and as the miles pass, he comes to realize that he can no longer live a lie. It's time for them to be apart. This is another great example of the group's harmony. Spending the night getting re-acquainted is the topic of "Keep The Light On." When the man gets home he wants some alone time with the woman he missed. The piano really makes the song special. If you're left wanting more when the last song plays, just stick the disc into your computer to get enhanced features.

Track List:
Falling Into You
Last Train Running
Night Ain't Over Yet
Highway 59
The Champ
Days of Birmingham
Better Days
Working Man
So Much Better
Keep The Light On
I Can't Stop Loving You
Let The Whiskey Fall
Load Up The Bases

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