Album Review – The Outlaw Orchestra – Pantomime Villains – Voodoo Queen Records
Artist: The Outlaw Orchestra
Album Title: Pantomime Villains
Release Date: May 29th 2020
Record Label: Voodoo Queen Records
The Outlaw Orchestra – (left to right)
Pete Briley (banjo)
David Roux (guitars/lead vocals)
Ryan Smith (drums/percussion/vocals)
Alex Barter (double bass/vocals)
How I came to discover the talents of The Outlaw Orchestra dates back almost ten years. While cruising YouTube looking for Laidlaw videos, I stumbled upon a bar band absolutely butchering Laidlaw’s “Send My Baby Home” in some pub in England. The only redeeming aspect of the performance was the guitarist. I left a scathing review on the video but soon after I received a notification of a reply. It was from their guitarist, Dave Roux.
Dave and I exchanged pleasantries & he expressed his fondness for Laidlaw. Long story short, I put Dave in contact with Laidlaw’s lead guitarist/songwriter, Buzzy James. Dave and Buzzy struck up a friendship that soon saw Dave & his lovely wife Cathy coming to the USA every year on vacation.
Dave and Cathy & Buzzy and his lovely wife Trish often perform in SoCal with our mutual friend Wado as The Cornhairs. It was through that friendship with Dave that he told me of his new band The Outlaw Orchestra and I became friends with their drummer Ryan & his wife Rosalie.
01. Take A Bow – Opening up with one helluva earworm riff from Dave Roux and soon joined by some righteous Banjo pickin’ courtesy of Pete Briley. An excellent choice to kick off their debut album. In the majority of modern music, the Banjo is often just used as an accent but with The Outlaw Orchestra it gets to share the spotlight in the case of this track, it steals it.
I really digg the percussive breakdown leading into Pete’s solo. Ryan’s drum parts really add some extra spice to the song.
02. Chicken Fried Snake – Without a doubt, my favorite track on the album. This tune slams and just reeks of Dave’s zany sense of humor. Need more proof of it, check out the crazy claymation video done by Dave and his wife Cathy.
03. Hangin’ Tree – This barn burner is a righteous romp for any hoedown! I can just envision a mosh pit breaking out to this song live. I sense a smidge of Dropkick Murphy’s influence here.
04. Whiskey Drinkin’ Liar – A cautionary tale we can all relate to. There is some beautiful slide guitar and unique tones here within. I won’t divulge their secrets but after consulting with Dave, my guess as to what made them was WAY off!
05. Arabia – This tune took a while to grow on me. It’s not bad but it didn’t grab me immediately like the others did. Dave channels Angus Young on the main riff.
06. Jumpin’ Jive – The Outlaw Orchestra go back to the roots of Rock N’ Roll here and throw down some Eddie Cochran meets Chuck Berry RAWK! The rhythm section of Ryan on drums and Alex on the standup bass really lead the Rockabilly flavored revolt here! Damn, this is just one fun song!
07. It Happened Again – Dare I say but this seems to be an apology letter to the bands significant others with the Orchestra’s trademark wink and smile.
08. Voodoo Queen – Another favorite of mine. Dave’s sinister vocal really fits the vibe of the sparse music until all hell breaks loose just past the halfway point.
09. Too Much Willie Nelson – Now just what is Dave singing about here? Hmm…seems pretty cut n’ dry to me! Fire this joint up and inhale deeply as it is a high point of the album.
10. Send Some Whiskey Home – Mmm, that tone! I copped a good buzz on it then discovered Buzzy James lent his talents to it! I should have had a V8!
The lyrics within are easily relatable. Everyone has been in a shitty relationship and this addresses it here in The Outlaw Orchestra’s own unique way. Trish Burke-Manser lends her soulful pipes to the call-and-answer vocal section.
A slower tempo in the verses that picks up in the choruses. I always like when a band throws a little curve and doesn’t place a straight-up rocker as the final track. I could sure go for some whiskey right about now!
What is The Outlaw Orchestra you ask?
Hailing from England, they are a quartet of very skilled musicians that take their craft very seriously yet thrown down some Whiskey soaked “Heavygrass” with a wink and a smile! In need of a good time, crank up The Outlaw Orchestra’s heavygrass sonic blend of Blackfoot meets Primus!
I’ll admit I’m a little biased about The Outlaw Orchestra but I’ve watched them go through the trials and tribulations that all bands go through; band drama, shitty business dealings, member changes, etc. They’ve persevered all that and today they’ve released their debut LP, “Pantomime Villains” on Voodoo Queen Records.
I’d really like to see them play in the USA and think they’d fit on a bill with Blackberry Smoke, The Cold Stares, Dustin Arbuckle & The Damnations or Black Stone Cherry. Give The Outlaw Orchestra a shot, I think you’ll digg ’em!
Check out THE OUTLAW ORCHESTRA online here….
The Outlaw Orchestra Official Website:
Order “Pantomime Villains” here:
Category: Reviews
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