Jackson/Rubio Has Some Fun

review by dave

The quirkiest label in Christian Rock decided to put together a bunch of its artists and other bands and have them each record a hymn or traditional gospel tune.  Oh, and did we mention it has to be in Rockablilly style?

The result of this project is a 16-song compilation called Jackson/Rubio's Rockabilly Western Gospel Hymns, a disc that is somewhere between a tribute to the great hymn/gospel song composers and Hank Williams.  Although a few times the music is on the outer cusp of what could be considered Rockabilly and a few more times the songs aren't quite hymns, the disc is fun through and through.  Because J/R had a musical theme in mind when compiling these songs and artists, the disc is much more even than most compilation albums.

The disc starts off with Thee Spivies' version of "I Dreamed I Searched Heaven."  The danger in having a band that specializes in quirkiness do a song in a genre such as Rockabilly is in the potential for the song to turn into a cornball fest.  Not so with this song.  Thee Spivies do a good job of capturing the feel of this gospel song without making fun of it:  the result is an authentic, fun song.

A bit disappointing is the second song, "Train 13" by Havalina Rail Co.   Although Matt Wignall's unusual voice often lends something to HRC's songs, it doesn't work so well this time.  Perhaps what makes this disappointing is that Havalina Rail Company has proven itself so versitile on its albums before, so the listener is expecting great things from them here.

Stand-outs on Roackabilly Western Gospel Hymns include both cuts from Sub*Lime artists Ruby Joe, the Revelers' "Be Boppin' Baby," and Matt and Johnny Ray's "Amazing Grace."  This is Matt Wignall from Havalina Rail Company and Johnny Ray from Sons of Thunder, who also contribute to this disc.  This one works much better than "Train No. 13" and Sons of Thunder's first contribution, "Saved! Saved! Saved!"  This version of Amazing Grace feels like a couple of friends sitting together on a front porch somewhere singing, probably past their bedtimes.

It turns out Jackson/Rubio saved the best songs for almost  last.  Sons of Thunder's second contribution, "Jesus You Are Worthy" mixes traditional harmonies with jazzy percussion to create a fun, infectious sound.  The last two songs on the disc are listed as special bonus import tracks.  The first is Blaster the Rocketboy with a version of "Just A Closer Walk With Thee."  This might be my favourite track on the entire disc.  What Blaster has done is here is truly capture the Rockabilly sound and feel.  "I'll Fly Away" by Dave Heater and the Swing'n Doors finishes the disc.  The sound is pure fun, but the vocals are a bit too cornball and are a bit too high in the mix.

With the exception of Upside Down Room's "Show the Way," (too crunchy) the songs all blend well together, and there is no abrupt inconsistancies which plague so many compilation albums.  It is almost as though these bands were all in the studio, listening in on the others until it was their turn to play.  If you're looking for a fun way to liven up some gospel western hymns, Jackson/Rubio's collection is a good bet.