Search - Povertyneck Hillbillies :: Povertyneck Hillbillies (W/Dvd)

Povertyneck Hillbillies' Rich and Charged Up Debut

T. Yap | Sydney, NSW, Australia | 06/10/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Prime Cuts: She Dreams of Wild Horses, One Night in New Orleans, The Night that Changed My Life



Country rock is not only alive and well with the Povertyneck Hillbillies, it's the stuff that defines this Pittsburgh seven men band. Chipping in to the precedence set by Restless Heart, Brooks and Dunn and Alabama, the Povertyneck Hillbillies' brand of blue-collared sturdy hard-driving twang with the occasional nod to nostalgia may not make for a novel sound, but there's a freshness to their music. This is thanks in part to the unobtrusive production of Bob Corbin and the conviction behind the performance of lead singer Chris Abbondanza.



Vocally, Abbondanza calls to mind Danny Shirley of the Conferderate Railroad with the same bluesy gruff with an added cut of Hank Jr's outlaw attitude. Of note also is the presence of presence of helmsman Corbin from the Corbin/Hanner fame. Corbin's heavy handedness in the group's song choice evidence in the re-cutting of tracks such as "One Night in New Orleans," "She Rides the Wild Horses," "Mr. Right Now" and "Any Road" all of which had appeared on Corbin/Hanner's back catalog. Though it's a delight to re-introduce these well-crafted paeans to a new generation, one has to ask if the Povertyneck Hillbillies is a platform to showcase Corbin's own work or is he re-living vicariously through these youngsters?



Regardless of Corbin's intentions, these guys really took many of Corbin's songs to heart and made them their own. In the spirit of the French Quarters created by some delightful accordion, the irresistibly catchy "One Night in New Orleans" transports the listener to Bourbon Street to witness the makings of a love story told with a Cajun twist. With a penchant for a great storyline, the mournful ballad "She Rides the Wild Horses" tells of a lonely waitress struggling to be free from the banality of life. Lighting up the mood is the testosterone-charged "Mr. Right Now," with a man proposing a lady for a one-night stance, aided by some friendly sounding fiddles and trebly guitar licks.



Moving away from Corbin's compositions, the bopping "The Night That Changed My Life" is an Abondanza original, which finds the gear pushed back to the first time the protagonist fell in love. While the bluesy mid-tempo "Kinda Cool, Ain't It" comes from the pen of Chris Cagle, though it does not rank with any of the superstar's hits, the song boasts some interesting chord progressions. While "The Hillbilly Way" is an obligatory self-confessing redneck anthem in the vein of Alabama's "Born Country" that is quite easily forgettable. Overall, this CD is rich with driving country rock tunes, though uneven in parts, but these guys are charged up and ready for a good time."

Hillbilly fun

Denise G. Pellegrino | Moon Twp, PA USA | 08/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anyone not familiar with the Poverty Neck Hillbillies or not from the tri-state area are in for a very pleasant surprise.

the "boys" always rock the house no matter where the venue. If you aren't able to see them in person, this CD is the next best thing. The talent is unbelievable, the energy level is unending and the songs stick in your head in a good kind of way. I will greatly miss seeing them at the Rhthym House in Bridgeville, Pa but I guess I have to share the wealth and talent with everyone across the country! Enjoy this CD but be prepared for getting hooked, the "Hillbilly" way!!!!!!"

AWESOME UP & COMING GROUP!!

T. Stevens | CARROLLTON,OHIO USA | 09/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"WE FIRST WENT AND SEEN THESE GREAT SINGERS AT OUR LOCAL FAIR AND FELL IN LOVE WITH THEIR GREAT STYLE OF MUSIC!AND WE BECAME GROUPIES AND WENT TO TWO MORE COUNTY FAIRS TO LISTEN TO THEM.BOUGHT BOTH CD'S AND CAN'T SEEM TO QUIT LISTENING TO THEM!! THEY ARE GOING TO HIT IT BIG IN THE COUNTRY MUSIC INDUSTRY!!THEIR STYLE OF MUSIC AND ENTERTAINING WILL TAKE HOLD OF YOU AND WON'T LET GO!! A MUST HAVE CD(S)!!! BUY THEM NOW,YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!"