By Noe Gutierrez
R Buckle Road will be celebrating the release of their first full-length studio album on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 9 p.m. at Schmidy’s Tavern on 72286 Highway 111 in Palm Desert, CA. Five years in the making, the album is Road Ready for mass circulation and the band is back in the saddle. In true RBR fashion, they are asking all attendees to bring an unwrapped toy and in return audience members will receive a copy of their new CD. You may also purchase CDs on this evening with a portion of the sales going to The Salvation Army. R Buckle Road is widely known for their constant support of local programs and service providers in the Coachella Valley.
R Buckle Road is Greg Vincent on guitar and vocals, Lisa Lynn Morgan on vocals, Larry Pedersen on guitar, harmonica and vocals, Cat Pedersen on vocals, Mike Pedersen on lead guitar, organ and vocals, Carl Agnello on drums, Lindy Bingham on saxophone and vocals and Bob Bingham on bass. The album was recorded in Bob’s Garage in Costa Mesa, CA and engineered and produced by Bob Bingham and mastered by Robert Hadley of RH audio.
I had the honor of listening to the Road Ready CD on behalf of Coachella Valley Weekly. Below is my review.
After listening to the CD I recalled the many 18 hour family trips we took from Indio, CA to my hometown of Lubbock, Texas. I remember riding in the back seat of our family vehicles throughout the years and listening to my Dad’s country music with the windows rolled down. This album is that music. It’s country rock music at its finest. You can feel the classic rock and blues along with the traditional country that live audiences have come to love about RBR. As a debut album goes, the music encompasses much more pride and more years than the five it took to complete.
Get Up and Stomp
The opening song is uptempo with a directive for listeners to dance. What a great way to start the album. Vincent counters those who claim that the band played too many slow songs. The sax solo is outstanding.
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
This is a great empowering and motivational anthem. The song encourages us to “take a step back” and “be thankful for all we have.” In this day and age we all must practice serenity and humility. In an absolute manner, the song preaches, “Life is what you make it, so make it your own.”
Overnight Success
Enter Larry’s beautifully intertwined harmonica. The song has a slower tempo than the first two. The lead electric guitar is also featured. There is retrospect in the song’s lyrics. “We may be 30 years too old, but we’ve got 30 more to go.” Overnight is relative to RBR.
Rock Star
“Rock Star” is a facetious look at the term. It’s tongue in cheek and fun.
Old Friend
In my estimation, this is the drinking song of the album. Many of us have that friend who kicks us in the butt when we’re down on our luck. This is an ode to the ‘old friend’.
Matter of Time
The feel good song of the album. Girl leaves boy, boy tells girl it’s only a matter of time till you come back, begging and pleading.
Best of Friends
I love it! Another beer drinking song. Reminiscing about those bar room buddies who stayed with you till the party ended. They lived for the day.
Don’t Give Up
The lyrics of this song can be applied to any relationship. It’s more than professing to someone not to give up. It’s saying “Don’t give up on me.”
Cowboy Up
The metaphorical song. The intro is the audio of the beginning of a bull ride. In this case, the bull is life and we are the cowboy riding it. Our mortality is the 8 seconds which is the length of time a bull rider is required to stay on for a ride to be scored. “Cowboy Up” seems to take on the meaningful theme of when things get tough you get back up, dust yourself off and keep trying.
Winter in July
A melancholy ballad, “Winter in July” signifies the bad times in good weather. It evokes the feeling of storm clouds in the summer.
500 Miles
The closer to the album with duo male lead vocals. “500 miles till we get home” is the chorus. I contemplate the band anxious to return to their families.
There’s an old cowboy saying, “If you climb in the saddle, be ready for the ride.” RBR is in the saddle and are Road Ready.
Keep up to date on R Buckle Road on Facebook and Reverbnation
For booking information contact Greg Vincent at:
(760) 485-1094
Vinman15@hotmail.com
