Album Review – Whitey Morgan & the 78’s “Sonic Ranch”
Whitey By God Burly Beard Ornery As Hell Whiskey Shootin’ Telecaster Twangin’ Morgan.
Of the underground and independent honky tonkers I’ve had the pleasure of covering over many years, nobody has worked harder, and nobody has put in more miles than than Whitey. There’s been some that have shot to major fame seemingly overnight like Sturgill Simpson, others that seem to ride a boom and bust pattern like Leon Virgil Bowers, but Whitey Morgan is a case study all to his own.
Like rolling Buick sedans off the assembly line in Flint, Michigan one after another, day after day, year after year, not stopping to take breaks or reveling in little victories, but winning fans over one at a time, night after night, tour after tour in America’s derelict honky tonks until the word of mouth grew into a rumble, the crowds went from nearly empty to nut to butt, Whitey Morgan is now like a locomotive at full speed barreling down the tracks. Get in his way, and you’re liable to get trucked.
Whitey digs his fingernails into honky tonk music with such an unrelenting ferocity, purpose, and abandon that some might find it downright intimidating. And through all the hardscrabble luck and restless touring, he’s still been able to assemble one of the hardest-pounding honky tonk bands on the planet in the 78’s. There’s so many Waylon wannabees and Paycheck impersonators in country music these days lurking in local bars and living online, you damn near need a cattle guard to get through them all. But when Whitey comes to town, the sea parts. No regalia, no posturing is necessary. Once Whitey strikes that first chord of Johnny Cash’s “Bad News,” you know it’s on.
The one chink in Whitey Morgan’s armor has always been a discography of note; one that lives up to his live performances. Not that it’s ever slowed him down. Like many honky tonk performers, the best place to behold him is in the honky tonk itself. His first two studio albums are good for a few spins if you’re hankering for some Whitey between shows, but this is music best heard with beer flowing and sweat beading on Whitey’s brow.
Sonic Ranch thought, it delivers something that Whitey Morgan has been lacking: The definitive Whitey Morgan & The 78’s album. No offense to the other projects, including his recently-released live album and the acoustic only Grandpa’s Guitar that after a half-decade dry spell for releases makes Whitey feel downright prolific lately, but Sonic Ranch is the effort that captures the energy and heartbeat of what a Whitey Morgan performance is all about.
There’s already been some whining about the amount of cover songs on this album, especially since there’s only ten tracks. But this is a common misconception about country, especially when it comes to “Outlaw” ranks of folks that think you can only write your own songs to be legit. Even Willie and Waylon covered the songs of others commonly, but just like Waylon and Willie, some of Whitey’s originals become the standout tracks. Whitey Morgan isn’t a songwriter in the traditional sense. He’s a hony tonk warrior who writes some songs when he can.
Besides, the covers of Sonic Ranch are just so damn good. And you shouldn’t be ashamed to claim them as your favorite part of this album if that’s the case. Since Whitey uses more recognizable songs for his non-original tracks compared to when an older artists might have cut something by some no name songwriter lurking around Nashville or Austin, it draws more attention to them. But these are timeless songs that deserve some revitalization.
Townes Van Zandt’s “Waitin’ ‘Round to Die” has been done, goodness, I don’t know how many times, but Whitey damn Morgan may have just delivered the best version. Scott H. Biram’s “Still Drunk, Still Crazy, Still Blue” may be recognized by underground roots listeners, but as one of Biram’s best country efforts, it was worthy of another rendition by Whitey. And I’ll be damned if Bobby Bare / Tom T. Hall’s “That’s How I Got To Memphis” doesn’t bring back memories of the best of early 80’s country. It was an unexpected but very welcome change of pace for Whitey, and is one of the album’s best tracks.
But the red meat for the wolves is still here in ample quantities. “Me and the Whiskey,” “Leavin’ Again,” and “Ain’t Gonna Take It Anymore” will give the core Whitey listeners in their signature “Fuck Pop Country” T-shirts what they’re looking for. Meanwhile Sonic Ranch has more acoustic moments than some might anticipate with songs like “Good Timin’ Man” and “Drunken Nights in the City.”
Too much consistency has always been one of the challenges for Whitey. He does what he does so well, and it’s what the crowd that’s starved for the old Outlaw honky tonk sound demands, it’s been hard for him to evidence much latitude. But to become more than just the hardest-working bar band, he needed to stretch his sonic palette. There’s still plenty of songs here about whiskey and screwing up your life, but he also opens up some new threads that don’t just give this particular album some spice, but could open up new avenues for Whitey in the future. The pounding bass drum and screaming steel guitar will always be there, but extending his wingspan is the way Whitey can continue to grow and expand his audience.
Named for the legendary studio compound outside of El Paso, TX known for coaxing some of the best recordings out of artists in their career, Sonic Ranch is the missing piece in what was already a well-apportioned arsenal of honky tonk firepower.
1 3/4 of 2 Guns Up.
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May 19, 2015 @ 8:40 am
I’ve said it before: I love coming to this site and discovering great new music from you, Trigger, even if at this point in my independent game I should know who a few more of these folks are. This is the first I’ve heard of Whitey Morgan but I’ll be darned if I’m not getting excited like an old fan. Josh’s utterly ecstatic review over at Country Perspective got me riled up and yours is continuing that excitement. I don’t think I’ve ever been lead astray with your country reviews (save for the odd Justin Townes Earle album, but as we’ve established he isn’t really country anyway) and hopefully this one doesn’t change that. Dammit, my wallet can’t take this!
Speaking of making a purchase, what’s the deal with this album’s release? It’s kind of confusing: the digital album is available today, right? But as far as I can tell that’s only at certain retailers. The CD isn’t going to be released until May 19? And then the vinyl on June 1 or something? What’s up with that? And is this the type of CD one might find in a Best Buy or Hastings or the kind that’s only available through the performer’s website? I couldn’t find a pre-order option on Amazon, just the digital version as of this writing. That last point is critical to the format I decide to buy an album in, as CDs are typically gouged on personal websites.
May 19, 2015 @ 9:21 am
First, you have to understand that with an artist that is completely independent like Whitey (meaning no label involved at all), there’s going to be challenges. I agree though, the release of this album has been somewhat confusing, and I’m afraid that will take away some of the momentum a more ordered album release can garner. The people that contributed to the Kickstarter campaign have been listening to this album for months, and so at this point it’s kind of old hat, and they’re less likely to give any social energy to this release. Other people are just getting it today, and others may wait to receive their copy later. With so much news and such tugging at people’s attention, it takes a lot of inertia to break through the din and get people’s attention. Because of this sort of tiered release, it’s going to be a little more difficult for this album, but hopefully the quality overrides these concerns.
Releasing albums, especially for independent artists, is an extremely critical endeavor, and everything must be lined up and all the pieces in place for it to reach its full potential. I can’t stress this enough.
May 19, 2015 @ 9:34 am
Wait, Whitey doesn’t even have a label? Why not? He seems to have plenty of goodwill from folks, enough to at least get him on Thirty Tigers or Bloodshot.
May 19, 2015 @ 10:50 am
He was on Bloodshot for his 2010 release and his recent live album, but left afterwards. He probably could still be with Bloodshot, or find another label partner if he wanted. But I think he believes he has enough of a grassroots following that he can do it himself and keep the label percentages.
May 19, 2015 @ 9:51 am
Off topic, Trigger, but I just saw this: https://www.facebook.com/clint.black/photos/a.10152247738277213.1073741826.252013042212/10152793345167213/?type=1&theater
I just might lose my damn mind. Never in a million years would the possibility have even occurred to me…
May 19, 2015 @ 6:23 pm
In defense I will say that I actually think Big and Rich sound great together when singing in harmony. The mixture of their very different voices has a unique sound. I will admit that sound is usually wasted on crap songs, but that doesn’t mean they don’t sound good, especially when the song is good. So as long as Clint Black is picking the song, then you might not have too much to worry about.
May 19, 2015 @ 7:09 pm
Oh no, you misunderstand: Big & Rich is my favorite musical act of all time, any genre. Clint Black is only a few spaces behind. I was saying that it was a completely unexpected surprise, not a nightmare. I don’t think they make crap songs, I think some folks just don’t know how to interpret them. They love all genres of music, but unlike Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean or Luke Bryan, they mix genres because they love all music, not to seem “hip.” They’re not above making real country songs, and make a point to include fiddles, banjo and pedal steel in most of their songs. It’s telling that they have the respect of many artists like Clint Black, and appeared as the only “modern” or “crossover” artist on Mary Sarah’s duets album Bridges, which also featured the likes of Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, Tanya Tucker and Ray Price on other tracks.
May 19, 2015 @ 10:35 am
Ha! Yes. It’s a mess. I’m in the same boat. There are 5,000,000 things that you have to do to “release” an album. If you’re one dude doing all the work – it just ain’t possible. 90% of the shit goes undone. I’m releasing my new album right now, and not even bothering with a release date – it’s too damn much to line up, and I need to be out playing music, not playing “suit guy dress up”. I’m kind of releasing it June 2nd – and that’s the best I can do. It can already be found – technically – I just haven’t announced anything. I can’t keep up with it. Putting out an album is a full time job with overtime in addition to the already full time job with overtime that this is in the first place. 😀
But fuck it. You can only do what you can do. From down here, the records aren’t even 1/1000th of a percent as important as just getting to your damn gigs and getting them played without getting all your shit stolen. For now I’ll just be happy having something to stick in the hands of people who keep trying to give me $15 for a CD that ain’t back from the press yet! At least 75% of music sales for me are from my hand to the buyer. That drunk chick who just spilled her whole glass of wine into the monitor, that fortunately belongs to the club – not me, is not in the least bit concerned over the official release date of my album.
While it’s 100% true that everything has to line up perfect…blah blah… for best potential…etc, etc… You gotta have a team for that. It’s just completely unrealistic for a whole lotta people. You just do what you can do, and hope that maybe you’ll pick up a little help on the next one.
Can’t wait to hear Whitey’s. I see it’s on Rhapsody – so it’s on tonight! Word.
May 21, 2015 @ 10:42 am
Just got around to listening to my copy, and I have to say that it was very much worth the time. I also think your review is spot on. Again, I hadn’t heard of Whitey before reading the reviews for this stellar album here and on Country Perspective; now I’m wishing I’d been following him from the start. As I often reiterate, honky tonk is my favorite side of country music. There’s a ruggedness and edge that I find lacking in some other forms of the genre. To be honest, I’m surprised that Sturgill Simpson gets as much praise as he does. I’ve had a few problems with his music not clicking with me in the same way as everyone else in the past, and not to demean his accomplishments, but listening to Sonic Ranch made me wonder why Simpson has a leg up over all of his independent country peers. His music seems completely tame by comparison to Whitey’s, and I only just listened to the guy’s album five minutes ago and have known Sturgill’s music for years at this point.
I’m thinking Sturgill might have had more of a stroke of luck than he does a “gift,” so to speak, that puts him so many leagues ahead of other like-minded artists. I think it’s telling that as has been pointed out, he’s signed to Atlantic Records proper, not the Nashville division. One assumes he appeals to as many indie music fans that never really cared for country music as he does the real crowd.
May 22, 2015 @ 6:33 am
I’d say when something happens like is happening with Sturgill there is always a lot of luck involved! I’ll get this tonight though and enjoy it over the long weekend.
May 21, 2015 @ 3:02 pm
Although I’ve heard of Whitey Morgan before (being a huge fan of Small Stone Records, the label that published Whitey’s first album), I too find great new albums and musicians from this site.
May 19, 2015 @ 8:42 am
Just recently discovered Whitey and saw him live last Friday. Have not enjoyed a show as much in a long time and great to know there are still people out there making great country music. Sonic Ranch is the real deal. Go see him if you get a chance.
May 19, 2015 @ 9:12 am
Damn fine album by these guys. There’s been a lot of mainstream crap come out thus far this year. But, in the underground and fairly unknown country music world there has been some great stuff. With Whitey’s album, Randy and Wade, Chris Stapleton, Blackberry Smoke and Wiliam Clark Green. Plus still get new tunes from Isbell and possibly Turnpike Troubadours and Sturgill Simpson to come sometime as well. It could be a good year for all us underdogs.
May 19, 2015 @ 9:15 am
The last time I was at Sonic, and asked for ranch, they charged me 50 cents. I was all like, “Dude!?!” And the dude was all like, “Hey man! Just doing my job here.” To which I sadly replied, “Alright man.” and forked over my four-bits. I was gonna buy a string with that money.
May 19, 2015 @ 9:16 am
Been listening to this album all morning. I have been a fan of Whitey’s since his first album and have seen them numerous times. They have always been one of my favorite honky tonk bands but this album is definitely a step towards something more and bigger for them. I hope more people get a chance to hear this album because it really is fantastic!
Trigger, do you happen to know who plays piano on this album? As great as the steel guitar sounds, I really enjoy the piano elements as well…
May 19, 2015 @ 9:40 am
One of my favorite people in the whole world, Mike Lynch, played piano and organ on the record. He’s a master and my spiritual mentor.
May 19, 2015 @ 9:18 am
This was a damn good album that I was listening to at 2 in the morning this morning. Pretty good album over all. I just wish there were some more mid to faster tempo songs. I think that’s where Whitey does his best. Songs like Another Round, Prove It All To You and I Ain’t Drunk. Those are his gems and there just weren’t too many songs that really popped out for me. The two standouts for me were Waitin’ Round To Die and Ain’t Gonna Take Anymore. But anyways this is still a 5 star album to me. I guess I’m just selfish and wanted just that little bit more
May 19, 2015 @ 10:08 am
I agree. Up tempo, roaring at ya kinda songs were missing somewhat on this album. But overall I still like it very much and will enjoy listening to it over the next week.
I have been waiting for this to come out for awhile now so I am definitely glad it is finally here! Just wish he was coming to play live near me sometime soon. But no luck there.
May 19, 2015 @ 10:15 am
Love what I have heard from the album so far, can’t wait to listen to it more over the next couple days.
This has been a very solid stretch of weeks in regards to real Country music, between Hold My Beer, Traveller and Sonic Ranch it’s been nice to have a great album to listen to every couple weeks. Even Ringling Road was damn good, save for a few weaker songs.
Off topic a bit Trigger, but since he was mentioned in the article have you heard anything in regards to new music from Leon Virgil Bowers? I know it’s hard for independent artists to release new music as quickly as maybe major label artists can, but he seems to have gone silent since Hellbound Glory was laid to rest. I admit I avoid social media like a plague, so maybe my answer is there, but have you heard if he is putting out any new music sometime soon?
May 19, 2015 @ 10:54 am
Have not heard anything solid about a release yet. I know he was recording in Michigan a while back so there is studio stuff lurking out there waiting to be released.
May 19, 2015 @ 4:11 pm
I tracked steel for LVB in Detroit for a handful of new songs. I don’t know what his plans are for them, but I can tell you they are kick ass tunes that I’m proud to have been a part of. Hope he gets them out soon.
May 19, 2015 @ 6:51 pm
Just saw you guys are coming back to Marietta in June and I’m looking forward to seeing you do work on that Sho-Bud again, Brett. Would love to talk steel with you if there’s a chance.
May 19, 2015 @ 6:56 pm
Of course! I will put you and a guest on the list. Remind me via Facebook.
May 19, 2015 @ 7:42 pm
Thanks Brett. Will do
May 19, 2015 @ 1:33 pm
That’s How I Got To Memphis is a Tom T. Hall song, no?
May 19, 2015 @ 3:43 pm
You are correct, it’s been covered seemingly a billion times by everyone from Bobby Bare to Deryl Dodd. It’s a damn good song.
May 19, 2015 @ 5:04 pm
Tom T. Hall wrote the song. Bobby Bare had the hit with it Deryl Dodd also recorded and charted it. When I interviewed Whitey a while back, her referred to it as a Bobby Bare song. We can go back and forth about who should be credited for it (this topic comes up often, and someone is always offended either way), so I just added Tom T’s name up there with Bobby’s.
May 19, 2015 @ 3:03 pm
I have been foaming at the mouth for this release. I love this album. Whitey’s best so far. I do think he needs to sing about something besides bars and drinking, but Whitey is fucking killer at those kind of songs. I hope he gets some traction. I love all the steel guitar. This album certainly says “fuck pop country.” It may be the only true outlawish album release this year. looking at you (STURGILL and Jamey Johnson)
May 19, 2015 @ 4:32 pm
Those who funded his kickstarter have had the album for months. Me being one, I will say I don’t think its quite as good as his self-titled one in 2010. I absolutely love Scott Biram’s “Still Drunk, Still Crazy, Still Blue”, and to hear someone else sing it is just not right. Its a good rendition, granted, but Scott nailed it. I’d prefer Whitey rely less on covers (and there’s a few more on this album) and be more original. That said, its still a good album and you should buy it!
May 19, 2015 @ 9:02 pm
Solid lyrics, but the vocals come off as quite rough. Based on the previews, there are only about 3 songs on which he even attempts to add texture to his enunciations (“Leavin’ Again”, “Drunken Nights in the City”, and “That’s How I Got to Memphis”). Just as Americana has an issue with overly flat and boring vocals, underground country seems too often defined by overly unpolished and growling vocals meant to sound “tough”.
By the way, my favorite song here (based on the previews) is “That’s How I Got to Memphis”. Aside from the fact that Whitey puts his best vocal effort into this track, the instrumental construction is also the most melodic in the album and nicely supplements the traveling-related theme of the lyrics (a favorite theme of mine).
May 19, 2015 @ 9:44 pm
No part of me cares about the balance between originals and covers when it comes to a performer like Whitey Morgan, and no part of me wants to hear country songs junked up with diva-esque vocal runs. this album gives it to you straight, take it or leave it. I’m going to take it and bother everyone I know about how good it is for the foreseeable future. Double bonus points for the Tom T. cover.
May 19, 2015 @ 11:41 pm
Who said anything about “diva-esque” vocal runs? I am talking about vocal texture, possibly the single most important aspect of country vocals aside from twang. Wouldn’t it be nice if Whitey Morgan and many other male underground artists at least tried to sing like George Jones, George Strait, Alan Jackson, and other classic country greats instead of overdoing the “macho” growling sound?
May 20, 2015 @ 4:35 pm
Funny you say that. Recently Jayke Orvis interviewed Whitey and they’ve been playing shows together going back to 2008. During the interview Jayke mentioned that the minute he heard Whitey’s Grandpa’s Guitar album he thought to himself “Whitey found his voice”. He had always had a way of kind of sounding like Don Williams, Paycheck or Jones or whoever. Now that he’s singing like himself you’re saying he needs to sound more like someone.
May 20, 2015 @ 5:24 am
Just found out he’ll be in my town, playing a bar in July. Not my favorite bar, but I’ll be there!
May 20, 2015 @ 6:35 am
Wow. What a great album through and through. Sometimes an album takes a few listens before you recognize it as great. Not this. Very surprised it didn’t get the 2 guns way up!!!
May 20, 2015 @ 11:17 pm
Just downloaded it this morning and I’m eagerly awaiting my vinyl copy in the mail. I’ve gotta say, this is one of the best country-western / honky tonk albums I have ever heard. Whitey and the boys have outdone themselves.
May 21, 2015 @ 4:45 am
Correct me if I’m wrong, and maybe this has already been discussed, but, is ” Me and the Whiskey ” the Damn Quails song ? I love this version btw, was just curious if anybody knew ??
May 24, 2015 @ 11:57 pm
It is, and their version resonates a bit more with me. I’ll still be buying this album.
May 25, 2015 @ 12:59 pm
Thanks for answering my question. I thought it was. Love the Damn Quails doing it as well.
May 22, 2015 @ 2:18 am
This is a fantastic album. I spent many days hanging around this band. From sitting back at the continental club sipping some whiskey with Whitey my first time in their van while listening to Johnny Paycheck, ending up in the hospital from chugging too much moonshine bottles in Tennessee, getting too drunk while the band had to drag my ass too safety in some small Texas town, till him showing up in my small town at Dales new bar. I even got Whitey and Scott together in Houston, when months later they told me they notified Scott they were covering his song. I am what is defined the ultimate uber Whitey fan. This band is the legend of what country music is these days not what mainstream or even Texas dirt grass tries to make it to be. As bad ass as waiting around to die is, this album still not my favorite all around since some of the tracks towards the end are not as impressive as the other album’s quality. This album has the best but also some that are not as memorable. Maybe its because the other super songs overshadowed the later tracks. Ill give it a few more play through till i become rapid obsessive as i was toward their other albums.
May 22, 2015 @ 3:41 pm
if a promoter was really on his game he would launch a show with Whitey Morgan, Sturgill Simpson and Hank 3…. and bring it to South Florida or close enough for me to drive to it… that would be awesome please and thank you!
November 30, 2015 @ 1:28 pm
No,
It should be Whitey and The 78’s
With Cody Jinks and Jackson Taylor and the Sinners.
With The Sean Curtis Band (out of Cheyenne, Wyoming) (see youtube for “nowhere road” )
That would be the tour!
November 30, 2015 @ 1:24 pm
Sonic Ranch is hands down, The Album of The Year….
And Whitey Morgan and the 78’s have had the Tour of The Year…
And that’s all there is to say about that!
September 4, 2016 @ 12:48 am
I’ve been missing out… found a few tracks of theirs in the last few days, been checking ’em out. This is some good stuff, especially ‘me and the whiskey’ – that’s soem good stuff there. 😀
-W
October 3, 2016 @ 2:33 pm
I know I’m late to discovering Whitey Morgan and the 78’s, but after seeing a live show this past weekend in Indy, I’ve become a big fan. My vacation starts on Thursday, so I’ll be listening to a newly purchased album on the flight. Thanks for the review Trigger.