Old-school outlaw honky-tonk, live from Flint, MI
Though the 78’s lineup has revolved a few times since the group took their name in 2007, singer, songwriter and guitarist Whitey Morgan (nee Eric Allen) has proven himself a consistent leader across the group’s recordings and live performances. Their latest release snapshots the band in 2011, laying down hardcore honky-tonk in Morgan’s home town of Flint, and sounding like Waylon (and the Waylors) on a good night. Flint may be physically closer to Saginaw than Nashville, but its rust-belt living lends a lot of grit to the band’s music. Morgan performs with a swagger that resonates with a crowd ready to celebrate hard-drinking tunes like “Turn Up the Bottle,†“Another Round†and the ironically titled “I’m Not Drunk.â€
Morgan touches on several of country’s favorite topics – women, drinking, cheating, and how women and cheating lead to drinking – and shows why they’re perennials. He’s fatalistically accepting of both cheating and drinking on the two-stepping “Cheatin’ Again,†but lets his loneliness drive as he seeks another chance with “Prove it All to You.†The band’s low-key take on Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire†is surprisingly effective, as are covers of Johnny Paycheck’s cautionary “(Stay Away From) The Cocaine Train†and Dale Watson’s Billy Joe Shaver tribute, “Where Do You Want It?†The 78’s are a tight unit, with Brett Robinson’s steel and Mike Lynch’s piano really standing out. If you can’t catch the band live, make sure to play this loud at your next party. [©2014 Hyperbolium] 