The Mavericks Album: “Music for All Occasions”

The Mavericks are certainly country, but with this album they have taken on an early 60's pop sound, but with a country feel. It is so hard to explain because they are so unique. Even the booklet is lavishly illustrated with photos that could be right out of the late 50's early 60's timeframe. One of the highlights is "All you ever do is bring me down" which feature Flaco Jimenez on accordian, for a rousing dance number. But every song on this album is excellent, not one that could be called a filler. I also love listening to the instrumentation in the background as well as the instrumental breaks...wonderful...piano, pedal steel, guitar, strings etc...listen to the piano on "My Secret Flame"...beautiful! Highly recommended.

You never know what to expect from a Mavericks album. Even as I write this, I don't even know if there will be another. Each album released so far is markedly different to any of the others, yet each is brilliant in it's own way. This is my favorite. Some of the others were more commercially successful, so obviously a lot of people disagree.

This album isn't really country, yet it has a definite country flavor (like so much of contemporary country music). Most of the songs are originals, but there is a stunning cover of Something Stupid (with guest Trisha Yearwood, then married to one of the band) which beats both the famous versions (which I also enjoy) - the original by Nancy and Frank, and the more recent by Robbie and Nicole. I have the British version of the CD, which also includes a cover of Blue Moon, which is better than either Elvis or the Marcels. Great though these covers are, it is the original songs which are the reason to buy this.

There is a great slice of Tex-Mex swing on All you ever do is bring me down, which hints at what would appear on their follow-up album (Trampoline). Most of the other songs are love ballads, beginning with Foolish Heart (this includes backing vocals by Lari White and Shelby Lynne), all sung superbly by Raul in his distinctive voice. The songs have enough variation in styles and tempos to keep the album interesting, yet they all fit together really well.

This was one of my most played albums in the late nineties. I hadn't played it for a while before getting it out to review it, but it still stands as one of my favorite contemporary country albums.

This LP fulfills the promise of 1994's "What a Crying Shame" On this release, the Mavericks wed Raul Malo's awe-inspring voice with a relaxed countrypolitan sound that at once celebrates and makes an ironic twist of its 50s/60s roots. From the packaging, on through the early 60s female backing vocals of "Foolish Heart", the Mavericks swing with an easy beat. There's not the overt Bakersfield twang of Buck Owens or the depth of despair of contemporary crooners like Dwight Yoakum (or even Chris Isaak), it's a smoother, more polished effort. Which isn't to suggest that this sounds like the plastic cookie-cutter pap that Nashville often tries to pass of as country - it doesn't. The roots are there, but they're a bit polished up for goin' to town on Saturday night.

The whole LP is a wonderful mix of country and pop melded less to a barroom than a country club. Don Cook and Raul Malo produce everything with a balanced feel - pedal steel easing its way in, rather than jumping to the front and forcing its way into the spotlight, lots of nice hollowbody electric guitars, a great shuffling beat and a swingin' tempo. Even the more upbeat numbers such as "All You Ever Do is Bring Me Down" mix Flaco Jimenez's accordion in to spice up the beat, but keep it polite.

Oon top of it all, Malo's voice - with a depth that can't really be described in words. Whether singing solo, with backing, or dueting with the likes of Trisha Yearwood (on a nice remake of the Sinatra & Sinatra hit single "Something Stupid"), Malo's style and ability give the Mavericks their trademark sound. Whether he's crooning "My Secret Flame" or plumbing the Buck Owens' blue sound of "The Writing on the Wall", Malo bends and shapes his voice to fit, with the production team crafting the sound all around him.

This CD is a wonderful collection of songs that combine influences from Rock and Blues and blend them beautifully with country music. Every song is noteworthy. The collection also shows the maturation of this band which shows a great deal of promise. Their follow-up CD (Trampoline) has mexican influences as well and continues the rich orchestral sound of this CD.

Rob Orbison sound alike ?....not, if you were raised on Roy!! The Maverick's sound is recognizable anywhere. A really unique band with a style all their own. The cajun sounding "All You Ever Do Is Bring Me down" defies you not to sing along or get up and dance. This album is a real "crank it up" gem for lover's of real American music. Listen and fall in love with the Mavericks all over again!!!