George Ray Russell – Wrangler Of Rhymes Vol. Two
In a melodic and smoky tenor voice with guitar, harmonica and bass accompaniment George Ray Russell sings and recites his sequel for us and introduces tracks much like a live set might run. As with his first release, some of his poems are pretty lengthy to have been set to music. Three have five minute-plus timings. One is over ten! In assessing the success of the musical works, certain distinctions should be made.
Several of these are poems sung as opposed to being “songs.” Song structure has come to require a specific verse/refrain pattern. In those instances what Russell offers equates back to works of the Jack Thorps, ‘Kid’ O’Malleys and Curley Fletchers of our history, with stories sung in rhyme until done. Poets and lyricists are not the same animal, and the acceptance of the George Ray Russell effect may depend on listener expectations of it.
Picks include a wonderful character piece called “The Funeral,” the novelties “No Matter How You Spin It” and “Kate & Edith,” and the recited poems “Whiskey Bill,” “Free Verse” and “White Mule.”
And Russell explains himself squarely in “Wrangler Of Rhymes.” He does “Cowboygerel,” not “doggerel.” Fifteen tracks total.
CD: (available through https://georgerayrussell.com/)
– by Rick Huff
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George Ray Russell – Wrangler Of Rhymes Vol. Two
