Danny Kay & The Nighlifers Are “Crazy Lonesome Blue”
We live in a charmed time in music where if all you want to listen to is the throwback, neo-traditional sounds of artists like Wayne “The Train” Hancock, Lucky Tubb, BR549, and early Hank Williams III, then you can bury your nose deep in the internet and find darn near enough bands of that style that you don’t have to listen to anything else. And if you’re one of those country throwback types that prefers the drums be replaced with the slap of an upright bass while the lonesome sounds of swinging country blues fills your ears, Danny Kay and the Nighlifers can quench that rumble deep in your old school country music gut.
Crazy Lonesome Blue comes at you with no frills, offering up a bevy of original songs, a few covers and traditionals, and an all-star cast comprising the Nightlifer’s lineup. It’d take a DNA test to convince me that Danny Kay isn’t a cousin of Lucky Tubb in the way his lonesome drawl with a rounded cadence really pulls the emotion out of the words to a song while pulling the listener’s ear right in. After laying down the foundation and setting the story of the song, Danny’s gets out of the way and lets the hillbilly maestros in the Nighlifers do their handiwork.
It starts off with blazing lead guitarist Zach Sweeney from both Wayne Hancock’s and Lucky Tubb’s touring bands laying down some of the sickest, most tasteful leads you can find in country music. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again about Sweeny—he is a guitar-playing superstar of independent country, and deserves to get way more buzz and recognition. Then comes Liz Sloan (also in Jayke Orvis’s “Broken Band”) who matches Sweeny note for note for style and taste, while her beau and fellow Broken Band member Jared McGovern slaps out a dizzying bed of bass notes.
And Danny Kay is willing to share the spotlight with his Nightlifers. Crazy Lonesome Blue offers up two instrumental tracks, including “Urban Pioneer” that was penned by his sidemen. Dustin Delage offers some minimal, tasteful drums on a few tracks, and Mark Whiskey handles backing vocals.
Standout tracks for this listener were the aforementioned instrumental “Urban Pioneer,” “Heart of a Fool,” “Nothing’s Wrong (But There Sure Ain’t Nothing Right)” and the fun “Must Have Been Drunk.”
While listening to Crazy Lonesome Blue, you get the sense that acts like BR549 and Wayne Hancock are the teachers, while Danny Kay is still the student, but Danny Kay would probably tell you just as much himself. Nonetheless there’s not a bad track on this album, and it’s good to see new blood make their voice heard in the neo-traditional ranks.
1 1/2 of 2 guns up.
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September 7, 2013 @ 10:04 am
I love your blog – but if I could make a small suggestion – since I only download mp3s, can you post whether the music you review is available for download anywhere and when the music will be available? I would really like to purchase the Danny Kay and the Nightlifers music you reviewed, but can find no place to purchase it. thanks.
September 7, 2013 @ 10:42 am
Jim, I always post links if an album is available digitally. To my knowledge, this one isn’t at the moment.
September 14, 2013 @ 7:54 pm
Jim. Sorry it took so long but if you are still intrested you can get dowloads at:
http://dannykaythenightlifers.bandcamp.com as well as physical copies.
September 7, 2013 @ 12:48 pm
I absolutely love the title track… it has made it’s way to my top and most listened to playlist. Danny Kay & The Nightlifers were the second “underground” band I started following on FB…so it’s great to see them grow and receive awesome recognition along the way. Great review, Trigger Man!
September 7, 2013 @ 4:46 pm
His first cd is great too! Plus he’s a cool guy to talk to if you ever get a chance to meet him in person.
September 7, 2013 @ 4:53 pm
Thank you, Trigg. We hope to have the 1st and 2nd CD up on CD Baby soon but for now, if you’re interested, please go to: dannykayandthenightlifers.bigcartel.com for both CD’s and T-Shirts.
September 7, 2013 @ 5:04 pm
Jim, I apologize. I do not have it up to sell MP3s yet. Ill look into it and see what I can do and let you know.
September 9, 2013 @ 8:59 am
Sounds good. I had heard the name of these guys but never listened to their music. I’m liking what I hear.
September 13, 2013 @ 12:35 pm
This is one of the best reasons to follow Saving Country Music; the reviews and recommendations.
Just received my “Crazy Lonesome Blue” rekkerd in the mail today. Through the first 4 songs. This is great stuff. Liz Sloan’s fiddle just sings such a sweet melody.
Buy this rekkerd!
September 14, 2013 @ 7:56 pm
Thanks JR. Im glad to hear you like it.
September 15, 2013 @ 12:15 pm
thanks for the update, Trigg
September 16, 2013 @ 10:47 am
Danny gave me a copy of this album at Farmfest this summer and it is one of my top albums this year. Good job Danny!!!!!!!!!!!!!