Whitney Rose
South Texas Suite
Six Shooter Records, Inc.
Country charmer Whitney Rose turned a bunch of heads in 2015 with her marvelous Heartbreaker of the Year. After its release she moved to Austin and became infatuated with the Texas country scene and began a residency at the world-renowned Continental Club and recorded this EP, South Texas Suite. Although it’s brief, it sticks with you, with Rose’s lovely warbling voice and top-flight band made up of legendary country piano player Earl Poole Ball (Johnny Cash), the master of the Telecaster Redd Volkaert (Merle Haggard), bassist Kevin Smith from Willie Nelson’s Family Band and drummer Tom Lewis from the Mavericks.
Rose is a traditionalist, and the first two cuts show it. Starting with “Three Minute Love Affair” this girl keeps it real with an ear for vinyl (yes!), with the accordion of Michael Guerra calling to mind classic Tex-Mex moments. “Analog” follows, with Volkaert’s adept touch on the Tele. “My Boots” is a bit of country honky-tonk that shows that Rose has listened to – and learned from the hits of Wanda Jackson and Loretta Lynn, while “Bluebonnets for My Baby” could have been a hit for Patsy Cline.
By the time the too short record ends with “How ‘Bout a Hand for the Band” (a noble sentiment indeed!), Whitney Rose has stolen your heart, might even get you out on the dancefloor for a bit of two-steppin’. Think a trip to Texas might be in order!
