ALBUM REVIEW

Mike Clifford
THE HEARTBREAK GRILL AND BAR
©2006 Late Bloom Records
Review by Lucky Boyd
Co-Founder, MyTexasMusic.com 

Mike Clifford’s unique vocal quality exudes an attitude about his songs.  His true Texan delivery makes each cut a gem.  Clifford’s third release, THE HEARTBREAK GRILL AND BAR is his best to date.  There is a stellar line up of pickers, a long list of perfectly written tunes, (Clifford pens 10 of the 11 cuts) and a couple of additional items worth mentioning.  As a 2005 Texas Music Awards nominee, it’s good to see Clifford surrounded by great company.  Pauline Reese, the 2010 TMA Entertainer of the Year appears on the record.  The eleventh track was written by 2005 TMA Male Vocalist Jay Johnson.  With this level of talent, it’s no wonder that the disc is destined for success.  Finally, amid all the masterful tracks, there is a true diamond.  Clifford’s “It’s All Texas Music To Me” is being talked up as an anthem to Texas musicians, and this reviewer is pushing for this forum to adopt the song as an official MTM track.  (Currently, this website has two official MTM tracks, “Spicy Chicken” by Big John Mills, and “The Armadillo Song” by John Arthur Martinez) I liked Clifford’s first two releases.  I like this one even more.  Remember this one at award nomination time.  (Editor’s note:  Subsequent to this writing, “It’s All Texas Music To Me” was nominated for Record of the Year at the 2007 Texas Music Awards.)
 

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