Brazos Brothers Band “CHUMP CHANGE” ©2007 Reload Records Review by Lucky Boyd This album is fun like a live show. That’s hard to do, but BBB has done it. The rock and blues influences keep your toes tapping throughout. Earl Musick (MTM member) recorded this sophomore effort from BBB and captured the fun-loving quartet doing what they do best. Looking for slick, over-compressed, Nashville tripe? You won’t find it here. Just honest, all out playing and singing. There’s no denying that this band will give you a great live show, and this disc captures their sound nicely. There’s some excellent guitar work on this release, mostly because of the intonation that gives you a live feel. Also appearing are old friends, Mark Merritt and Darlina Musick. Funky gets redefined on the title cut, which opens with a motivating bass line. Arguably the best cut is “Johnny Was A Sailor” as it tells a great story and is well written, structured, arranged and performed. The 2007 configuration of BBB is Rocky Randall, Jack Stephenson, Gene Scott, and A. Steve Hardin. This album is a step up from their debut release, but still contains the feeling and passion that always is BBB. Previous notes: The Brazos Brothers Band brings a multitude of influences to the table in their debut offering "HARMONY ROAD" (Reload Records). Rocky Randall, Jack Stephenson, Holley Warren, and L.E. (Gene) Scott make up this harmonious group. Randall and Stephenson collaborate with Garry Spradlin to write eleven of the thirteen tracks, as Gene Scott pens one track and co-writes another with Rocky and Jack. Much of this disc carries the feel of early Moody Blues, and an occasional hint of The Hollies. The foursome adds in their own Texas country influences, and some well-placed harmonies, to make this a refreshing sidestep from the all-too-often imitated trends. The group uses a successful blend of MIDI sequences, acoustic instruments, and live percussion to create a full, well-produced sound. The writing is solid, and spans from Scott's 1978 penning of the honky-tonk laden "Oil Of Cedar" to a couple of 1999 compositions. All in all, these are four guys having the time of their lives through music. Rocky Randall's guitar work is a highlight of the disc, and the lightheartedness of the project makes it a great example of Texas music. Co-produced my MyTexasMusic.com member Earl Musick, this is a very good freshman project, and I can't wait to hear more from The Brazos Brothers!