Heybale!

Heybale! has been perfoming at the Continental now for almost 8 years. The band was started by Tom Lewis while living in Nashville in 1999 as a tool to have fun and play country music. The original lineup included Redd Volkaert on guitar, Dave Roe on bass, James Morgan on vocals and Tommy Hannum on steel. They played to empty rooms around Nashville while answering the stupid questions of why they were playing. Is this a showcase? Are you trying to get a deal? You know any New Country songs? Unsupported, the band disbanded and all went their separate ways. Cut to the spring of 2000. Tom Lewis moves back to Austin and discovers that Redd has moved there as well as Earl Poole Ball, the legendary piano man for Johnny Cash. He also encounters Gary Claxton, yet another frustrated singer/songwriter he met while living in Nashville. The nucleus of the band was reformed. Steve Werthiemer, owner of the Continental, offered sunday nights to Heybale! and they've been there filling the dancefloor ever since. Heybale! have released two live albums. ContinentaLive was recorded at the Continental during the band's sunday night residency with Erik Hokkanen as guest. Live From 1-A was recorded live in the KUT studios with the late great Jim Murphy on steel. He played with the band for two years and lifted the level of their performance to what it is now. The new album, The Last Country Album was recorded at Bruce Robison's Premium studios with an all-star cast including Cindy Cashdollar, Erik Hokannen, Elana James and Casper Rawls. It showcases the original material introduced by Redd, Gary and Earl which tend to sound right at home next to revered classics such as Willie Nelson's Mr. Record Man. Many of the songs were recorded live in one room with a cast of 9 musicians all performing together. The instrumental, Heybalin', was composed outside the studio by the multi talented Hokkanen just moments before it was arranged and recorded in the studio. It is this spontanaity and urgency that make The Last Country Album a very compelling piece of music to appease the ears. ************************************************************ **** "When country music was "discovered" to be more popular than rock and a host of other genres in the 90s it seemed to prompt Nashville and elsewhere to aim to be everything for everyone. To some extent they succeeded, but they gave up something in the process, and if you want to get a taste of what that something is here it is. I love these songs, and the way these guys play them and write them it's obvious they do too.I've seen them a number of times at the Continental and the audience is madeup of a crazy mixture of hipsters, drunks, punks dancing with sexy grandmas and a smattering of Austin's best musicians. The music transcends a lot ofthe usual barriers. Whether of not you went to church you can still get alittle bit of heaven on a Sunday night." -DAVID BYRNE ************************************************************ **** Regulars at Austin's Continental Club, Heybale would stand out if for no other reason than the pedigrees of its members. Merle Haggard sideman Redd Volkaert is one of the Telecaster visionaries of his generation. Earl Ball played keys on the Byrds' Sweetheart Of The Rodeo, produced Haggard's 1970 Bob Wills tribute album, and later toured with Johnny Cash. Gary Claxton is an experienced vocalist, bassist Kevin Smith worked with Brian Setzer, and Tom Lewis drummed with the Wagoneers and Raul Malo. They deliver an effective blend of standards, including Willie Nelson's “Mr. Record Man” and Faron Young's 1971 hit “Step Aside”. Augmented by guest pickers, the quintet shines on the country-jazz instrumental “Heybalin'” and Bob Wills' “Hang Your Head In Shame”. Claxton's moody, first-rate original “House Of Secrets” feels like an undiscovered Patsy Cline recording; his “California Wine” and Ball's “Livin' In A Cheap Motel” each reflect a similar, timeless edge. Ball's sing-alongs, “Honky Tonk Mood” and “Everything - About Drinking”, fit the band's barroom sensibilities. Nothing here pushes any musical boundaries. It's all about unadorned Texas honky-tonk and dance music, something Heybale delivers flawlessly. - RICH KIENZLE - NO DEPRESSION MAGAZINE ************************************************************ ****While calling a release "The Last Country Album" may sound a bit lofty (or even pretentious), one listen and you won't have a quibble. If you're a fan of “real” country music (sorry, that's a distinction that must be made), Heybale is as close to the real thing as it gets. Unlike groups that simply imitate or recreate, Heybale - citing influences as "those who are dead and near dead" - has effectively embodied the music and spirit of honky-tonk barrooms. Featuring the hard-to-beat Redd Volkaert, perhaps the most fluent and tasteful guitar twanger today (and an alumni of Merle Haggard's band) and pianist Earl Poole Ball (Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Buck Owens, Gram Parsons), the musicianship is second to none. And while the band offers inspired covers of Willie Nelson's "Mr. Record Man" and Tom T. Hall's "That's How I Got to Memphis," the disc's standouts are the originals. Singer Gary Claxton's "California Wine" features his smooth, intoxicating vocals and classic fills from Poole and fiddler Eric Hokkanen, as well as some tasty twin leads from Volkaert. You'll be searching the liner notes to see which classic singer recorded "Livin' in a Cheap Motel" (it's a Poole original). Ditto with the Ray Price-like "House of Secrets" and "Honky Tonk Mood." With solos all around, the title track, a Hokkanen-penned instrumental, is a Texas swing number that showcases ex-Asleep at the Wheel Cindy Cashdollar's steel playing and Volkaert's country-jazz prowess. For good measure the disc closes with "Let's Go To Mexico," a made-for-dancing, Tex-Mex track. – MICHAEL LIPTON CHARLESTON (WV) GAZETTE ************************************************************ **** I guess there's a place for all those interchangeable video country stars and their shiny new cowboy hats and made for truck commercials manufactured music. They're really just purveyors of Nashville pop music so maybe Nashville and its assembly line country sound is that place. We don't really need them in Texas. The real thing is alive and well in the Lone Star state and there's no better representation of it than what is offered by local supergroup Heybale! on its latest recording. Heybale!, a group well-deserving of its self-applied explanation mark, is a genuine country music band and "The Last Country Album" is what the music has always been about. The musicianship is above and beyond what currently passes for country music but it is the attention to the classic sound and sensibilities that elevates the band's sound into a still more rarified atmosphere. I'm coloring outside the music journalism lines by even mentioning the album now because it's still a month or so away from hitting the stores. But I can't help it because I've been listening to it almost non-stop, partly for pure pleasure and partly as an effective antidote to the artificial music being pumped out commercial country radio. I've had the benefit of an advance copy so don't bother your local record store yet, but do start saving your spare change to invest in your own copy when it becomes available. Heybale! is a tight and cohesive group but it's the dynamic duo at the core of the band that sets it apart, both in pure talent and in country credibility. It begins with pianist Earl Poole Ball, whose career includes extensive work with the likes of country music legends Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash and Buck Owens, as well as with crossover pioneers The Byrds and Gram Parsons. Guitarist Redd Volkaert spent a half dozen years in the Merle Haggard band before relocating to Austin 2000. His clean country lines, often delivered with amazing speed, can be heard on recordings by honky-tonk hero Dale Watson, in addition to a handful of Haggard albums. Better yet are Volkaert's own albums, such as his 2004 release "For the Ladies" and a couple of earlier efforts. It may just be a coincidence, but, in light of the leaders' past participation in his music, the album's official release date is fittingly enough the day before Merle Haggard's June 18 concert at the Paramount Theatre. Ball and Volkaert, each more than capable of carrying the show by himself, reinforced the band with similarly talented sidemen. Upright bassist Kevin Smith, currently of the Dwight Yoakam band and formerly of Austin's rambunctious rockabilly unit High Noon, is paired with drummer Tom Lewis, whose past and present musical affiliations include Junior Brown, The Wagoneers and Raul Malo, to create the Heybale! rhythm section. Gary Claxton, who doubles on rhythm guitar, is the group's nominal lead vocalist, although Ball and Volkaert also take spotlight vocal turns. His smooth style provides an effective contrast to the ragged-but-right approach of the others while his songwriting skills supply a major portion of the band's original material. Several distinguished guests, such as steel guitar and dobro ace Cindy Cashdollar, lend their assistance to the proceedings. Fiddler Erik Hokkanen's is the most conspicuous as he contributes a tune, the extended instrumental workout "Heybalin'," and joins the band for a smoking rendition of it. The band rolls confidently through a dozen songs, mostly originals, although it does tap into top-tier Texas tunesmiths Willie Nelson and Tom T. Hall for a couple of classics. The recording was primarily done live with the group playing simultaneously, instead of hidden away in different studio rooms listening to overdubs. It's a technique that requires polished professionalism and an almost telepathic musical communication within the band to achieve success. But in the creative hands of musicians with Heybale!'s level of expertise and ability the recording approach produces something very special and undeniably authentic. As a result it sounds like the band is playing live in your front room, or office cubicle or the backseat of your car. It's upclose and personal and the immediacy of the music makes its multiple pleasures even more enjoyable. While you will have to wait a few weeks to procure a copy of "The Last Country Album" you'll probably have more immediate opportunities to see the music live and in person. Heybale! has been playing regular Sunday afternoon gigs at the Continental Club for several years. The shows, admittedly even better than the excellent album, are one of the city's best-kept musical secrets. But I'm pretty sure Heybale! won't mind if the secret gets out. Check them out live - yell out a request for "Honky Tonk Mood" or Willie's "Mr. Record Man" and I bet they'll oblige - and start getting your favorite radio station aware "The Last Country Album" is just weeks away -MICHAEL POINT THE ROUND ROCK LEADER ************************************************************ **** If reports of country music's impending death haven't been greatly exaggerated, then a hard-core, old-fashioned country act has to be the one to release the genre's last disc. So why not Hey Bale? The Austin, Texas, quintet -- a Sunday-night fixture at the Continental Club since at least 2003 -- features sidemen from bands led by Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens and Connie Smith. The songs are about one-third country classics (such as the gorgeous Tom T. Hall tune How I Got to Memphis) and two-thirds originals. Guess Where I'll Be This Morning is a typically brilliant example of the latter -- a slinky, chip-kickin', honky-tonk number in which the narrator skips town on "that outbound dog" to put distance between himself and an errant lover. "Guess where I'll be tomorrow," he sings: "I'll be in Oklahoma City" -- a joke that would be hilarious if his circumstances weren't so sad. This is the real deal. (Oh, and the piano player has the best "country" name in country: Earl Poole Ball.)-- BILL EICHENBERGER -THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH ************************************************************ **** Now this is some real country music, fellow babies. Heybale has the real, honest to God country sound I grew up listening to in the 60’s and 70’s. I didn’t realize just how much I missed this sound until I plugged this CD in. The Austin, Texas outfit has become a Sunday night way of life in and around The Continental Club, where they are creating their own legend and mythology. People flock to hear the all star band every week. No small wonder. These guys are living legends. Made up of some of the finest country studio and live side men anywhere, including Redd Volkaert (Merle Haggard) on guitar and Earl Poole Ball (Johnny Cash, Buck Owens, The Byrds) on piano, Heybale is everything that is good about classic country. They have really hit the mark with their first studio record, which features mostly original compositions that sound like a real country music history book. Consider Gary Claxton’s vocal on “California Wine,” which rings out with a real Merle Haggard vibe. Volkaert gives Willie Nelson's "Mr. Record Man" a great cover with Cindy Cashdollar on pedal steel, and Claxton delivers Tom T. Hall's "That's How I Got to Memphis" with tons of heart and country soul. The group also smokes Erik Hokkanen instrumental "Heybalin'," with Volkaert dishing up some smooth guitar reminiscent of Sugarfoot Garland. "Everything ... About Drinkin'" evokes the very spirit of Roger Miller, and they swing it Bob Wills style on swings "Hang Your Head in Shame," featuring Elana James on fiddle. Aw, play it boys. If you love old school country, Texas swing, and just damn good music, check out The Last Country Album, and let’s hope this is not the last country album from Heybale.-Michael Buffalo Smith - Gritz Magazine ************************************************************ **** At one point in time, Heybale could have been called a super-group of sorts. Pianist Earl Poole Ball has worked with Johnny Cash, Buck Owens, Gram Parsons and played on The Byrd's seminal Sweetheart Of The Rodeo album. Lead guitarist Redd Volkaert spent six years in Merle Haggard's band, while bassist Kevin Smith tours with Dwight Yoakam, and drummer Tom Lewis performs with Raul Malo. That leaves lead singer Gary Claxton, who is really the true shining star in the band. His vocals are downright devastating. He has the deep soul that has always made country the workingman's blues, and is instantly appealing. Like so many other of the style's all-time greats, Claxton sounds like nobody but himself, and has the strength of human spirit that cannot be denied. If "House of Secrets" doesn't send a jolt of sorrow up your spine, then it's time see some kind of specialist asap. Even better, Gary Claxton writes them as fine as he sings them. No wonder the group had the guts to call this The Last Country Album. They just might be right.-Bill Bentley - Sonic Boomers.com ************************************************************ ****After seven years of gigging around Austin, Texas, and two live albums, this band of country veterans is still definitely in a "Honky Tonk Mood," to borrow one title from its first studio album. Heybale! features three standout front men in pianist Earl Poole Ball, a longtime Johnny Cash sideman who wrote and sings "Honky Tonk Mood" as well as two other terrific saloon anthems; singer-guitarist Redd Volkaert, formerly of Merle Haggard's Strangers; and Gary Claxton, a real find as a singer and writer - he wrote or co-wrote four of the 12 songs, highlighted by the cheating ballad "House of Secrets." The last country album? Not really; but with their effortless blend of barroom rowdiness and musical sophistication these guys sure know their way around real country. – NICK CRISTIANO PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER