In A Honky-Tonk Mood (Texas World, 2006)

If this Lucky Tomblin Band CD doesn't put you in a honky-tonk mood, there's either something wrong with you, or you're not really listening. These bar-ready performances are consistently excellent, due to this disc's studio-star presence of Earl Poole Ball (piano) and Redd Volkaert (lead guitar), among others.

But it's this collection's can't-miss songs that make it truly shine. Songwriter credits include Floyd Tillman's "Cold War" and "I Love You So Much It Hurts." There is also a Harlan Howard work, "I Don't Believe I'll Fall In Love Today" and Porter Wagoner/Gary Walker's "Trademark." Musical styles range from the swinging "Lonesome Hearted Blues," which features bassist Sarah Brown on lead vocals, to "Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor," where guitarist John Reed sings it the way an early Elvis might done it, while Ball lays down Jerry Lee Lewis-inspired piano pounding. It may be a band with Lucky Tomblin's name attached to it, but Tomblin only sings about half of its tracks. He obviously has no problem sharing vocal duties.

Although it's a set of country gold nuggets, all these fine songs are sung and played with plenty of feeling, which should leave most listeners with a gentle, honky tonk beer buzz.