"He lures you into it. The first time you hear his songs you might not appreciate the poetry. But after a while, you begin to sing the lines to yourself. And the poetry is deeper and more universal than you thought the first time around. I don't think I'm the only one who knows people like Lorraine, who has "been thinking of joining a movement, but doesn't really know what she's for". And then there's the stunning honesty of "Town Too Tough to Die", where Darryl Rush grew up and he remembers not just the town but the "black dirt gumbo" and the "acres and acres of milo and cotton" and "the days before he ran away from a town too tough to die". I can't stop my leg from tappin and I can't stop singing Darryl's songs. Good poetry is like that."
Llano Ave. is a bit of paradise!
K. Kalin Burke | 08/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sitting on my back porch on a hot, muggy evening in Dallas, TX; I popped "Llano Ave." into my CD player. With a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other, I was prepared to be entertained. You see, watching Darryl Lee Rush perform his songs live is like being invited to the best party by the most popular kid in town. Loud, raucous...it's just so much damned fun! I expected to be entertained, but I didn't expect to be so moved. In the quiet of the evening, without the yelling and carrying on of a bar on a Saturday night, I was able to discover and appreciate the poetry of Rush's songs.
Several like "Diary of a Dancer" and "Prodical Daughter" can bring up an involuntary sigh, while "White Trash Paradise," wrapped up like a ballad, gives you in glimpse of his humor. And I agree with the previous reviewer that "Life in the Fast Lane" rivals the original and it's got to show up on some soundtrack one day.
For me, the best song is the title cut "Llano Ave." Sweet and sad, it tears at your heart and your mind begrudingly allows memories of lost loves to creep back in. The perfect song for the last slow dance of the evening, I defy you not to feel a tightening in your throat when you hear this one.
"
I laughed, I cried, I drank a 6-pak of Lone Star beer!
Earl H. Browning | 01/11/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I think a lot of people will like this one-it's sort of a neo Jim Stafford meets a softer Lynyrd Skynyrd. if you can imagine that, I think that's actually a good description. I'm not much into country, but this Americana album tickles my rural bone. I don't really know where that bone is, but what I'm trying to say is that I likes me some Daryl Lee. There's good guitar-almost rock-n-roll acoustic at times, there's some hellacious harmonica like I've never heard before and some really good lyrics. Some of the songs are funny and then every now and then, when you're least expecting it, he slaps you with some old school profundity. i must say (in a surprised voice) I LIKE IT LIKE IT LIKE IT. Enjoy!! Daryl and gang: KEEP JAMMIN'!!"
True Texas Spirit
Michael Klobe | Austin, TX | 03/20/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I heard Darryl Lee Rush live in Austin during SxSW this year and was floored. Maybe I'm just a sucker for a strong harmonica, but the sound is fantastic and his stage persona is captivating. This CD will stay in my rotation for quite a while, and my wife and I are looking forward to seeing him live again!"
Ok....so i'm biased. but stay with me here.
7 candles | dallas, tx | 05/28/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"i am to close to the artist and can be called biased but the quality of the songwriting and vocal delivery still impresses me. go out to most live music venues and you hear artists that lack confidence or come off as pretentious. sometimes i hear great voices that have nothing to say or starving artist types that have something to say but little social/show skills to convey the message appropriately. DLR is not one of those.
the production on the disk is not totally my flavor but still allows for the voice of the characters to come through. dlr delivers on this record (second pressing is available) and every night on stage. Palo Duro has some talent in it's roster and DLR is right at home.
buy it. then tell me what you think. i dare you. bet you'll keep it on your ipod or cd player."