Lucky Me – Tom Haugen

Lucky Me
Bandy Productions, 2016
Reviewed by Tom Haugen
Published on Sep 1, 2017

Unless you're a longtime diehard country music fan (which I'm not) or paid attention the Billboard Charts in the '70s (which I didn't), you've probably never heard of Moe Bandy. A former Texas Rodeo star turned country singer, Bandy's biggest hits were all in the '70s, although he consistently released albums into the late '90s. Now 73 years old, Bandy joins forces with The Oak Ridge Boys, Riders In The Sky, and Ricky Skaggs on his first studio album in  decade for these honky tonk Texas-style tunes.

The album opens with the title track “Lucky Me,” where quick fiddles accompany Bandy's strong, unwavering pipes as he sings about true love. A huge fan and highly influenced by Hank Williams, Bandy then follows with the track “Everything Hank Williams Did, But Die,” which comes off as autobiographical adoration of Williams, complete with warm steel guitar. The third track is when The Oak Ridge Boys make their first appearance as they collaborate on the ballad “Hell Stays Open.” They make another cameo at the end of the album with the piano heavy and soaring vocal harmonies of “A Place To Hang My Hat.”

Though Bandy by himself is certainly great, the celebrities help add a shine to the album. “The Rarest Of Flowers” with Ricky Skaggs, takes a turn into bluegrass territory with mandolins, and Riders In The Sky adds their vocal prowess to the appropriately titled “Long Live The Cowboy.”

It's no surprise that Bandy has secured himself a spot in the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, as his traditional sounds parallel the best of the best. While most of today's version of country music barely contains a scant resemblance to the roots of the genre, Lucky Me revisits the heartbreak and honky tonk fun with plenty of pedal steel and fiddles. Let's hope it isn't another decade before Bandy decides to lay down new tracks, as he does a better job than artists half his age.

Rating: B

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