2016 – Reaction Records
By Phillip Smith; Dec. 23, 2016
Randy McAllister and the Scrappiest Band in the
Motherland bring to the table, ten
wonderful tracks of Texas blues and simmering soul, wrapped tightly in a Fistful of Gumption. Singer/songwriter/drummer McAllister, guitarist Rob Dewan, fiddle player Maya Van Nuys, and bassist Matt Higgens make up the core of this
top-class band.
A pulsing fiddle riff and a
driving beat pumps the groove through “C’mon Brothers and Sisters”, an
energetic number with wonderful retro backing harmonies. I love the beautifully written and performed,
“Time for the Sun to Rise”. McAllister’s vocals ooze heartfelt
emotion on this melancholy Sixties soul throwback.
Van Nuys levels
the field with her fiddle playing on “Ride to Get Right (Tribute to Otis
Redding and Earl King)”. Fit for a
Louisiana hoedown, this big rollicking number grabs a lot of attention. I’m taken to church when I hear “Background
Singer”, a funky and spirited ode to the stars of the Oscar-winning documentary 20
Feet From Stardom.
McAllister breaks out his harp and gets “Leave a Few Wrong Notes” kicked off in a rocking scrumptious way while Dewan keeps those tasty guitar licks rolling.
McAllister breaks out his harp and gets “Leave a Few Wrong Notes” kicked off in a rocking scrumptious way while Dewan keeps those tasty guitar licks rolling.
McAllister
and his Scrappiest Band in the
Motherland are one tight ensemble,
and Fistful of Gumption leaves me
wanting nothing but more.
