Bob Cheevers adds another tally mark to the studio wall with the release of "Tall Texas Tales", on which he draws on an immense wealth of song writing and touring experience. No matter who you are, you could probably learn a lot by spending five minutes with the man. "I don't know if these stories are true, but they happened to me". Straight from the horse's mouth. A largely hit-and-miss affair, Cheevers lands the odd killer blow, but doesn't get the knock-out.
It's worth nothing that for all his richness in experience, Cheevers has never achieved the commercial success of his peers. Uninteresting tracks like "Grown Up People" don't help his case, challenging the listener neither lyrically or musically. In fact, it's not until "Texas Is An Only Child" that the album delivers a point of interest. It is clear that Cheevers relies far more on his lyrical approach than on musical diligence - a point that listeners are sure to pick up on.
One has to enjoy the poeticism of "Turquoise Heart With A West Texas Smile", with Cheevers seemingly echoing the emotions of times gone by. This one's a keeper. Sadly, it is followed by the rather bland "Give This Heart", a soft and unexciting ballad that would perhaps be better suited for a popular rock act or British boyband. Swings and roundabouts. "Mushroom Cloud Lil" sounds like a minor Texas storm captured in musical form. Bob's vocals - those of a hard-drinking Tom Petty - rise above the banjo and the fiddle, on perhaps the most complete track on the album.
Appropriately, the album ends in good fettle, with "Is It Ever Gonna Rain" and the rock 'n' roll-indebted "One Good Rib" being particular highlights. While far from being a poor effort, "Tall Texas Tales" fails to reflect Cheevers' true ability. At times his talent threatens to expose itself but each glimpse of brilliance is matched by a spell of uncharacteristic pabulum.
Available from CD Baby.