Johnny Cash Music:

Walk Alone Track Listing:
1. Texas Sun
2. Blade
3. Seven Steps
4. Interstate Cannonball
5. Walk Alone
6. Truckstop in la Grange
7. 440 Horses
8. Lonesome Sky
9. Trains Gonna Roll
10. Memphis Woman
11. Silver Wings
12. Crying over You

Walk Alone Reviews:
Country Road Mix with a distinctly Traditional sound
2009-09-02 - I bought this one when it first came out and it's still in my Top 5 Country CD's Alltime almost seven years later.

The key elements it contains that keep it there are a life-weary texture to the lead vocals (Mark Stuart), no string section in evidence, accomplished musicianship, great smokey, big-bellied sound in the guitars, great songs and a very solid sequence from song-to-song.

I can't recall how many road trips I've taken where I've put this baby in, cranked it up LOUD, and forgot to even notice the miles clickin' by. Just a superior road disc by any standard of measurement. The songs are mostly uptempo and have that 'driving' beat and rhythm. It would be hard to listen to this disc in this environment and not be in a good mood when you arrived at your destination.

When you listen in a little deeper to the mix and begin to notice a particular instrument, like pedal steel, you find that these guys honor the Country music they grew up with and probably cut their teeth on when they first started to play. Every instrument sounds true to good, solid Country style of play. Think Vince Gill and maybe Pete Anderson, lead guitarist for Dwight Yoakam, and possibly a little Waylon Jennings in there, too. There's a definite Bluesy undertone to all of it... which I just love.

I sure don't understand any characterization of this music as being Alt-Country. It may have been recorded in a modern studio but it most definitely does not sound at all like what Nashville cranks out today like some form of bad processed cheese. These guys have an original sound that's comfortable on the ears after repeated listenings. This one stands up over time. The themes are traditional and not Alternative in the least. Go figure.

About the time I bought this disc, I also picked up "Full Western Dress" by the Derailers, and it's also best when listened to LOUD. In fact, if you listened to either one of these on a low volume setting, they wouldn't sound near as good.

So check your load one last time, jump in the ol' 18-wheeler, make sure your Thermos is full of strong coffee, shove this disc in, check your mirrors, put 'er in gear and head on down life's busy highway... at least you won't have to worry about having good music to travel by.

(NOTE: the band is now working under the name of 'Mark Stuart and the Bastard Sons' - samples from their new disc [full songs on MySpace] sound pretty good.)

Too slick for its own good
2009-02-21 - Boy, I should like this album a lot more than I do. There's plenty to like, a rocking country barnstormer, a cool name, and an obvious attitude that they LIKE what they're doing. I don't want to give the impression that I DISLIKE the album, but I'm simply underwhelmed by it.

Something's just missing. Maybe it's because they don't remind me of Johnny Cash in the least and that's what I was expecting? Despite the fact that they had Cash's blessing (two of the tracks on this album were produced by Cash's son)? I don't really think this is the reason, though, I think it has more to do with the SOUND of the album. I want something a bit more grittier when I listen to this type of music, and yet, this seems to have the production values of your average Def Leppard album. A little less perfectionism would've gone a long way into making this a better record.

It's a fun record, don't get me wrong. "Interstate Cannonball" is a great trucker theme song, and a cover of Merle Haggard's "Silver Wings" works well. This band has a terrific album in them, this, however, is not it.

Recommended with reservations for country fans only.

great album from an underappreciated band
2003-10-12 - this album is simply great from start to finish.great songwriting and excellent musicianship throughout.i felt compelled to write this after reading reviews from others who obviously do not get it.being a fan of true country music for many years,having seen all of the greats ,legends,and relativley unknowns perform,ones such as johnny cash,merle haggard,george jones,dwight yoakam,and dale watson,i can say that bsojc deserves to be counted in that group,after seeing them live recently at fitzgeralds in berwyn,illinois,where they put on one of the best shows i have ever seen(i have seen all types of rock, metal ,and blues shows as well)i can honestly say they are a great live act as well as really great guys to meet and speak with.i reccomend picking up this cd and giving it a real good listen.

Country for those who listen to rock
2002-11-30 - The band sounds like a rock band trying to do what they think is country. Almost every ages-old cliche of honky tonk music is evident with songs about truck driving, "Having every waitress" and the obligatory drinking songs.

I would recommend Dale Watson, The Derailers or Stan Martin before them.

One of my top 10 favorite Cd's of all time!
2002-10-03 - Upbeat, fun, definitely country... absolutely an AWESOME Cd to listen to.. especially while driving! A good Cd to listen to when you don't want to hear anything sad or whining. I love it when I discover new bands and they rock this much! :)