Overall Comments

Woody Guthrie Meets Brian Wilson...and the result is fantastic!

Arkansas Red's "Last Train Out" is the most honest album of original American songs since "Dust Bowl Ballads." Red's account of the vagaries of a hobo's life transports the listener straight to the jungle camps, boxcars and train yards. The sincerity of his understanding of, and empathy for these forgotten people is deeply affecting. And then there's this business about Red playing all the instruments, singing all the lead and background parts and writing all the songs. The last person who did that was Brian Wilson and we all thought it was Brian and those four other guys. Oh, and Woody did it, too, but he only had to play two instruments and sing one part.

Red, who happens to be a member of Banjo Hangout, is an accomplished banjoist in a variety of styles, including frailing, which he learned in person from Stringbean. There's some excellent banjo playing on Last Train Out, plenty of fine guitar and sensitive singing in Red's picturesque mountain drawl.

What more can I say, except you must get this CD. Go to CD Baby.com and order it now. Just do it!

Overall Rating

10