Search - Randy Waller :: Randy Waller

Acoustic country with Randy's smooth vocal delivery

J. Ross | Roseburg, OR USA | 05/25/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Playing Time - 48:57 -- Lendel Records is a new label created in 2003 to promote and serve the clients of Len Holsclaw's Lendel Agency, in business since l971, which was the sole management and booking agency for The Country Gentlemen from 1971-1998. The label's first album release showcases Charlie Waller's son, Randy, who was born in 1959 and grew up with the bluegrass music of his father. In 1963, Charlie made a promise to one day give his 1937 Martin D-28 guitar to his son. After Randy's graduation, he embarked on a solo career as a country musician and guitar teacher. It was on Christmas in 2002 that his father's guitar was passed on to the next generation. Randy's original song, "Daddy's Old Guitar," tells the story.



With this debut release, Randy returns to his bluegrass roots for the singer, songwriter and instrumentalist who is currently working with his father (since 2003) as a member of The Country Gentlemen. A short time after he started appearing with the group, fans started asking for an album that documents his impressive rendition of "Old Rugged Cross." Waller penned some originals for the project including "The Vision," "Little Red Shoes," and "Rough and Ready." These three numbers demonstrate Waller's unique ability to successfully pen first-rate songs within the bluegrass gospel, western swing, and country genres.



Covers include Carl Jackson's "Love's Tombstone" and "Blue, Blue Morning" and "A Sad Song Don't Care Whose Heart it Breaks." and songs that were recorded by the Marshall Tucker Band ("This Ol' Cowboy") and Bonnie Raitt ("Give It Up or Let Me Go"). "This Ol' Cowboy" has a nice beat and catchy little riff. Randy's resonator guitar is a featured instrument on "The Ballad of Curtis Loew," a story of a young boy's friendship and respect for an old black dobro master who played the blues. Interestingly, that song also recently appeared on Larry Cordle's "Lonesome Skynyrd Time" project.



The accompanists include a number of present and former Country Gentlemen. Jimmy Gaudreau's mandolin and mandola are always a treat to hear. Eddie and Martha Adcock sing beautiful vocal harmonies. A friend from Randy's teenage years, Mike Moore, was enlisted to play bass. Sammy Shelor (Lonesome River Band) picks the five-string banjo, and well-known Nashville session fiddler Aubrey Haynie offers some hot licks and fills. Tim Austin engineered the project.



Randy Waller certainly doesn't sing with a high lonesome bluegrass sound. Instead, his full baritone gives a very smooth delivery that is equally comfortable with country, gospel, bluegrass and blues music. Randy's diverse instrumental and vocal abilities will open many doors for him. Closer to acoustic country than his father's hard-driving bluegrass, Randy Waller's sound is very relaxed and enjoyable. His voice even reminds me, at times, of a young Merle Haggard. That's the main reason why I really like this project. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)



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