Tom Faulkner - Lost In The Land Of Texico (10 tracks) +Album Reviews

Outstanding, Genre-Bending & Crafted With Upmost Care!

Casey Stewart | San Joaquin Delta | 02/17/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Several years in the making, Lost In The Land Of Texico is one of those rare, special works of musical art you immediately wish to share with your closest friends. And taking the time to write this review, and bestowing a rare 5 star rating, I'm looking to share the musical genius that is Tom Faulkner's first crackerjack release with as many music lovers as possible.So what does it sound like? It sounds like friendly little cantinas and Bayou-By-The-Bay dance halls and smokey Texas roadhouse venues. You'll hear traces of Bonnie Raitt's slide guitar, The Meter's complex New Orleans rhythms and bits of both Tejano and Cajun accordian playing, that somehow only adds to the whole simmering stew of Southwestern Alt-Rock.Faulkner's got one of those deep, drowsy, likeable voices that go so well with songs like the Randy Newman inflected "River On The Rise", the title cut and "Highway Man". It helps to know he's not only done the musical arrangements, and played just about all the guitar bits but written every song as well. If you like the poly-rthymic, all-star musicianship found with top notch groups such as Los Lobos and Little Feat, you will indeed embrace LITLOT, as well. Production values are of the highest caliber with crystal clear recording that is awesome.Standouts include "Do Bea's Dance", a truly infectious Cajun rocker about a little old gal who loves to dance and won't take no for an answer, the meltingly tender Cantinaesque beauty of "Angelina" or the pull-out-all-the-stops boogie of "Get Out Of Texas."Faulkner's own recording studio, and the years spend conceiving and developing Texico, with precious few industry demands or trade-offs have paid off in spades. Texico is a genuine American artifact, paying homage to a blending of Mexican, New Mexican, Texan and Louisianna influences. American Southwest soul music seasoned with slide, steel, acoustic and electric guitars, a few splashes of funky squeeze box, and clever drums and bass bottom, this one both rocks mightily and cooks aplenty!Be on the lookout for Faulkner's sophomore release, "Raise The Roof," although Texico certainly makes it a hard act to follow. Mais yeah!"

Live show fan who loves the CD

Casey Stewart | 01/23/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If Bonnie Raitt and Tony Joe White had a love child who was adopted by Little Feat, his name would be Tom Faulkner. Faulkner combines influences from Texas, Louisiana bayous, and Mexico to produce a music with vivid lyric images and melodies that are sometimes sweet and sometimes rockin'. Having seen this act live, I'm higher on this CD than the other review shown here. If you like Texas roadhouse music (ala Joe Ely), with a strong blues presence, you'll love this music."

If One Could Only Award 6 Stars.......

Jay P. Francis | Houston, Texas United States | 07/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You just can't believe how perfect this album is. Have a listen to the samples, sure, but to really get a feel for the superlative recording quality and craftmanship of each and every song....you gotta own the album."

Borderlands Stories

Creigh Gordon | Albuquerque | 09/02/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Lost in the Land of Texico is well named. In this collection of songs Tom Faulkner explores the cultures and landscapes in the borderlands of South Texas. This is rich territory that has been covered in other ways by the Texas Tornados, Robert Earl Keen and so many others.

Trying to find words to describe what this CD sounds like, I keep coming back to Ry Cooder, who also often explores the intersections between cultures. Like Cooder, Faulkner paints dramatic images; colorful and lively on "Do Bea's Dance", and stark and haunting on "Angelina." A movie producer who couldn't afford to hire Ry Cooder or Randy Newman would do well to have Faulkner for his soundtrack. If "Angelina" played during the opening credits of a movie, you would know you were about to see a story of great truth and beauty.

The sound is built around Tom Faulkner's voice and guitar, which would stand well on their own. Faulkner isn't one of the small handful of singers who make your hair stand on end, but he does draw you in with a warm, softly gritty baritone, and his notes are true. The guitar is very confident but doesn't overpower, and the accompaniment adds textures without getting in the way. These are not complex arrangements, just simple things done well. The sound quality is very high.

There are stories, and a whole way of life, in this collection. This is a fine recording that will stand up well over time

"

Gary morris

gary morris | alvin, tx United States | 10/07/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tom Faulkner is truly a gifted artist, I only wish more mainstream radio stations would play his music. It is a shame that only the "nashville stars" get the big money publicity it takes to get the airtime that so many fine musicians, songwriters, and singers deserve. (Tom is all of the above) Maybe someday, there will be an avenue where they will be able to get the word out, but until then it's up to us, the ones who happen to hear them and pass, by word of mouth to others their greatness. I urge anyone who loves foot tapping, sing-along, make you smile, heart wrenching music, to buy and tell about this and Toms new cd, raise the roof. You won't be dissapointed!!! (P.S. Tom is also a nice guy.)"

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