MATT CAMPBELL
THE MAN WITH EVERYTHING
FLOUR SACK CAPE RECORDS
THE NIGHT THAT I FOUND JESUS–PILLAR OF FIRE–TRADING TEARDROPS–CHRISTMAS IN NASHVILLE–TWICE AS BIG–THAT’S THE WAY–IT’S OURS–SIMPLE TWIST OF FATE–MORE THAN MEMORIES
Matt Campbell is not a man in search of fame and all the trappings that go with it. Well, maybe gettin’ rich would be OK, but that wasn’t his intention when he wrote the material that comprises his latest album for Flour Sack Cape Records, “The Man With Everything.” On this set, Matt brings a full measure of authenticity to a genre’ that has been sorely missing it for quite a while. The Colorado native wrote all the cuts, save for Dylan’s “Simple Twist Of Fate,” and, as you listen, you’ll find that Matt is equal parts carnival barker and hellfire-and-brimstone Baptist preacher. His humor and irreverence resounds throughout these songs, and he combines his classic country sound with the storytelling abilities of the old-school folk troubadours.
The epitome’ of what he’s trying to say is spelled out in the leadoff cut, which served as one of our favorites. It’s the curious tale of “the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost/Lefty, Hank, and Merle,” “The Night That I Found Jesus down at Robert’s Western World!” “It’s Ours” brings to mind another famous couple-in-song from back in the day, who were “livin’ on love and forty dollars a week,” as these two lovers vow to “grab hold of forever” in their simple home. This one also featured Keenan Wade on mandolin, too.
Our other favorite was a sort of holiday song. It details our road-weary singer livin’ it up amidst the beautiful sights and “waltzing with the red-head, Susannah,” during “Christmas In Nashville, —Indiana!”
Matt Campbell indeed went from carrying out the trash at Robert’s Western World to playing on its hallowed stage. He’s certainly living up to the title of “The Man With Everything!” Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues And Roots Alliance.
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