Post Description

Rodney Hayden - Tavern Of Poets (2010)
mp3 CBR 320 kbps | 92 MB
Americana, Contemporary Country, Singer/Songwriter

“Tavern of Poets finds singer/songwriter Rodney Hayden both a long way from his native Lonestar state and a long way from his signature honky-tonk sound. Using his European travels as inspiration, the Texas native trades in influences of old country singers such as Jennings and Jones for the literal Old Country.

Nearly every song owes its sound, title or pain to unfamiliar feelings in unfamiliar places: “Last Train to Rome” is a lonelier extension of Michael Bublé’s “Home,” while understated waltz “C’est La Vie” showcases Hayden’s reputation as a master storyteller, no matter the language. It’s not until Hayden travels back across the pond for “Tending Bar By The Tracks After Midnight In Tupelo, Mississippi,” however, that his rich, powerful voice is fully allowed to boom.

Producer, friend, co-writer and tour mate Drew Kennedy’s influence is obvious both lyrically and instrumentally in the album’s restless, winding journey, especially on sexy tongue-twister “Cold Goodnight.” The pairing feels forced, though, on “Wishes and Dimes,” a trippy campfire tune that doesn’t hang well on Hayden’s drawl.

While fans accustomed to the singer&#146;s usual twang, fiddle and steel may at first take issue with surprising flashes of electric guitars and accordions, there remains a familiar uncomfortable comfort in the album&#146;s geographic and sonic restlessness. Tavern of Poets is to Hayden as Like Red on a Rose is to Alan Jackson, and it&#146;s nice to hear the Texas standout out of his comfort zone. <the9513.com>&#148;

1 Too Many Highs
2 Cold Goodnight
3 Last Train To Rome
4 Goodnight New York
5 Waiting On The Pain
6 More Wishes Than Dimes
7 It's Just The Rain
8 Tending Bar By The Tracks In Tupelo, MS
9 Take Me Back Wife
10 C'est La Vie