Johnny Bush Green Snakes Lone Star Records by Scott Snidow

"One fool on the stool is what I heard the bartender say..." These words are almost as legendary as the man who first made them famous thirty years ago. Everyone knows instantly that this is none other than Johnny Bush, who is nothing less than an institution in his home state of Texas. Perhaps Bush has achieved this status because he has played music with nearly every icon of Texas music in the five decades his career spans, ranging from Ray Price, with whom Bush did a stint as a Cherokee Cowboy, to the original music outlaw, Willie Nelson. Or maybe Bush's legendary status comes from the fact that he is the man who penned Texas' de facto State Anthem, "Whiskey River." It could be that Bush has achieved this notoriety simply because his music and his career (which if he were a lesser man would have come to an end years ago when he was first diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia) are deserving of legendary status in a state that loves to propagate its legends. Typical of Bush is the fact that very few fans are aware of the fight that he has had for decades with spasmodic dysphonia, which is a crippling vocal disorder characterized by involuntary breaks and spasms in speech patterns. Many folks who make their living behind a microphone would have seen this as a death knell for their careers. Not Bush. In fact, it seems that his struggle with the disorder has made him only more resolute in singing and performing the music that he loves and that he is called to do, the songs of and about Texas. Green Snakes opens, appropriately, with a re-recording of this beer hall classic about a man who is struggling with DT's. Bush admits that he doesn't understand the near-cult standing that this song has with many of his fans, but felt that since it is one of the most requested numbers at his live performances, it was worth giving it a musical face lift and featuring it as the opener to this new album. Whether or not you are a fan of Johnny Bush, you have to admit one thing about him: he gathers some of the finest musicians and records some of the tightest tracks ever laid down in the annals of Texas music. Every track on Green Snakes is a musical gem, filled with the rich and diverse musical sources that are rooted in Texas. If someone were to ask this reviewer where Johnny Bush's musical strength lies, I would have to say that it is in his arrangements. They are far and away some of the best in Texas music today. Whether Bush and company are performing their legendary western swing numbers, hard core country anthems, bluesy Texas ballads, or some upbeat honky tonkers, Bush should be respected for his sense of timing and scoring in his tight arrangements. Green Snakes features its share of musical diversity as well. There's some western swing on such numbers as "Driving Nails;" some classic country remakes like "When Did You Stop Lovin' Me;" some gospel, "Glory Train;" and even a little Tex-Mex influence on "Dos Tacos." There are some really outstanding musical moments on this album, such as Bush's duet with Kate McCarthy on "Nobody's Business," or the laid back and very jazzy western swing number, "You Don't Have to Be a Baby to Cry," which is, in my humble opinion, the single finest track on this album and features some very fine guitar work by Jackie King reminiscent of the late great Chet Atkins. If you are already a Johnny Bush fan or even straddling the fence where his music is concerned, then Green Snakes is a must have collection of songs for you for a number of reasons. There are the fifteen well-scored tracks that brim with a musical richness that can always be found on a Johnny Bush album. But if that were not enough to convince you, then let me give you nine more reasons. Green Snakes comes with a bonus CD that features nine tracks that Bush recorded for a demo back in 1965 with compadres Willie Nelson and steel guitar guru Tommy Morrell. This is the first time that these recordings have been made available and they provide a classic glimpse into Bush and his music years before he was a household name. *Green Snakes is available almost anywhere recorded music is sold in the known universe, but if you still need some direction or just want to go check out some nifty websites, go to www.johnnybush.com or www.antonesrec.com, where they will be more than happy to entertain you with information, facts and sound bites. If you would like to know more about spasmodic dysphonia, check out www.dysphonia.org/nsda/. You can contact Scott Snidow at: scott-at-rockzilla.net

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