m_noland | Washington, DC United States | 11/16/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There's a beer company that is currently running an ad campaign that features a bunch of old jocks who are supposed to be "originals" and somehow drinking this beer is supposed to make you "an original" too. Naw, that ain't original. This is original. This CD defines original. The graphic on the picture dictionary entry for "original" ought to be the cover of "Lubbock on Everything."I can't imagine who would have played this when it came out. Country radio wouldn't touch this with a barge pole. Same for rock. Maybe a "progressive country" station or two in Texas. Its a wonder that it even got made in the first place. Still have never heard it on the radio, web or otherwise.I bought this disk because a buddy of mine from Texas swore that this was "like, the greatest record ever made" and forced his band to cover "The Girl Who Danced Oklahoma." I don't know if its the greatest record ever made, but it certainly fits into a handful that I have heard (Conlon Nancarrow, Captain Beefheart) that reflect one pretty unique vision.The instrumentation is pretty conventional country, and Allen has an adequate, limited voice, and a West Texas twang. But, Lord, what songs. The man has a real eye for characterization, and the parody of "Wreck on the Highway" ("Truckload of Art") complete with dobro and yodeling may be the funniest song that I have ever heard."
Genius
Clark Stevenson | Mesquite, TX United States | 09/30/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I practically grew up listening to Terry Allen and Lubbock (On Everything) is the crown jewel in his canon. The Great Joe Bob (A Regional Tragedy) is the inspiration for songs written by Steve Earle, Robert Earl Keen and others. If I had three CDs to take to a desert island, I'd take two of these in case the first got scratched. True piece of Americana."
Thank God for Terry Allen
filmnoirfan | Japan | 11/28/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This really is one of the greatest American recordings of all time. Intelligent, humorous, and simply damn good music. When I first discovered this album I listened to it every day for weeks. Surprise your friends for Christmas with this album; it will blow them away.A masterpiece."
You must own this album
ernesttubb | Austin, TX USA | 07/31/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I once wrote (I'm a professional writer) that "Austin is where kids go when they're too weird to live in Texas, but too Texan to live anywhere else." Although Terry doesn't live in Austin, he is exactly the kind of person I was thinking of. Anyone who loves their Texas roots and yet doesn't quite fit in with the fundamentalist conformity will immediately identify with this album. Terry's lyrics say it best:Well I may not wear a Stetson
But I'm willin' to bet, son
I'm just as big a Texan
As you are.
There's a girl in her bare feet
Asleep in the back seat
And that trunk's full of Pearl and Lone Star."
Give Terry His Due, Boys.
Michael Rose | Sparks, NV United States | 06/25/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"If Terry Allen has recorded any substandard music, he's been kind enough not to release it ... Lubbock is another winner from argulably one of the most consistent musicians on the scene today ... If you listen to Joe Ely, Steve Earle, Guy Clark, Lyle, Robert Earl Keen, then you'll definitely enjoy this recording ... A final recommendation: Some reviewers have lamented musicians such as TA can't get on the radio nowadays ... Well, I can't solve the underlying problem when profitability comes before quality but I will encourage you give KPIG (Freedom, CA) a listen ... They play it all ... Online at KPIG.com or if you're ever in the Monterey-Santa Cruz area, turn the dial to 107 oink 5 on your FM dial (their tag line, not mine) ... It'll take you back to when radio wasn't a wasteland of commercials and noise, when you actually used the tuner attatched to your amp ... enjoy and buy Lubbock ... we need to support these musicians to ensure quality remains, however obscure ..."