HACIENDA BROTHERS > Arizona Motel

Chris Gaffney, the hardworking folk-blues musician, had finally found himself some recognition as a member of the Hacienda Brothers, a California band with an organic, atmospheric, country-soul approach somewhere between George Jones and Arthur Alexander.Label: Proper
[Rating: 3.5 STARS]

Chris Gaffney, the hardworking folk-blues musician, had finally found himself some recognition as a member of the Hacienda Brothers, a California band with an organic, atmospheric, country-soul approach somewhere between George Jones and Arthur Alexander. Gaffney took most of the rustic lead vocals and shared multi-instrument playing with chief songwriter Dave Gonzalez. Sadly, right after recording Arizona Motel this year, their third album, Gaffney took ill with liver cancer and died. This album, then, becomes a eulogy. Partially produced in Nashville with Dan Penn, and partially in Tucson by the band itself, the album has a compelling, simultaneously loose-tight sound. The best songs tend to be plaintive (“Uncle Sam’s Jail,” “Use to the Pain,” “I Still Believe”), but there is enough versatility for a rave-up instrumental “Light It Again Charlie” with Gonzalez on baritone guitar. The band has said this will be the last album. A loss for us all.