The Mavericks Album: “Gold”

Description :

The Mavericks: Nick Kane, Paul Deakin, Raul Malo, Robert Reynolds. <p>Recording information: 1992 - 1995. <p>Had the Mavericks been around during the outlaw country days of the mid-1970s, when iconoclasts like Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kinky Friedman were fusing the heart and soul of traditional country with the energy and drive of classic rock & roll, they would have been one of the biggest bands in country music--if not the country. Coming on the scene a couple of decades later, the Austin-based foursome led by singer-songwriter Raul Malo weren't hip enough for the burgeoning alt-country scene, but they rocked a bit too hard and too old-school for Nashville's sanitized halls, so they never got all the attention they were due. As the excellent two-disc career-spanning compilation GOLD shows, however, the Mavericks belong with any of the great country rock bands of all time. Spanning all of their albums and including hits like "Dance the Night Away" and "The End of the Line" alongside respectful covers of rock and country classics like Gram Parsons's "Hot Burrito #1 (I'm Your Toy)," this is a well-chosen and expertly sequenced set that supercedes all previous Mavericks compilations.

Although the Mavericks were only moderately successful on the charts, they were still one of the liveliest and most innovative country acts of the mid-1990s. This 2-CD set captures them at their best, with one disc devoted to their early hits, and a second disc gathering their later work, including numerous rarities -- songs from soundtracks, tribute albums, singles, etc. From their punchy early twang to the later work that empahsized singer Raul Malo's uncanny likeness to the late Roy Orbison, this is a collection that will please longtime fans and newcomers alike!

The Mavericks were a mighty band expertly skirting the periphery of Country, Blues, Latin, Pop and Lounge. They weren't a big seller but did provide some exceptional music over their career mainly because of expert musicianship, superb songwriting, great taste in covers and the pure beauty of the voice of Raul Malo. Now to this album. Firstly, I don't have it, but do have all their albums-as-albums so I am familiar with just about all this material. As with all the "Gold" albums, it has been compiled with impeccable taste and gives the listener an excellent overview of this great band. There are quite a few other "best-of's" about but this one, at the current price, is the one to get. It covers their entire career and picks the eyes out of the best songs from each of their albums. The only drawback is that if this is the only Mavericks CD you get and want more (which I'm sure you will), you'll probably be doubling up on quite a few songs. If you want a more comprehensive Mavericks' CD collection then get this and "What A Crying Shame" and "Music For All Occasions". You'll get their best songs and a few rarities thrown in for good measure. The Mavericks were/are a great American roots music band with one of the best voices in country/pop, nay, all music. Great Stuff. Highly Recommended.