With that voice, the hat and those looks, Sam Outlaw could be a straight-up mainline Big Country Star. He could be wowing the Nashville scene, starring at the Grand Ol’ Opry, working up to headlining that city’s Bridgestone Arena.
He could sing about beer, trucks and gals, finding love and, better still for songwriting inspiration, when love walked out the door. He could buy a ranch and ride horses. Game over. Success.
But that ain’t the story so far.
Sam Outlaw (he was born Sam Morgan, Outlaw is his mother’s maiden name) is from southern California (San Diego) and grew up on a diet of his parents’ wide music tastes, West Coast country, soaking up the Bakersfield sound and 1970’s pop.
“The music I play, I call ‘SoCal country,’” says Outlaw. “It’s country music but with a Southern California spirit to it. What is it about Southern California that gives it that spirit, I don’t exactly know. But there’s an idea that I like that says – every song, even happy songs, are written from a place of sadness. If there’s a special sadness to Southern California it’s that there’s an abiding shadow of loss of what used to be. But then, like with any place, you have a resilient optimism as well.”
As he prepared to self-produce his first-full length album, his drummer Joachim Cooder played some rough demos for his father, legendary guitarist, musicologist and producer Ry Cooder.
“When Ry expressed interest in working with me, it was just, ‘Holy shit, I can’t believe it!’” says Outlaw. “I mean, there’s no sweeter person to make a ‘country music in Southern California record about Southern California.’ He’s a master of so many genres.”
Sam Outlaw – Melbourne Australia 2015
“Ninety percent of what you’re hearing is still the five of us in a room performing a song,” he says. “Ry plays on every song, electric and acoustic on the basics. And then all the overdubs he did were just insanely beautiful. He was able to make magic happen on every track.
Angeleno is old fashioned (there’s even a track called that) and it revels in its style and simplicity, not giving a hootenanny for what’s on trend.
The opener “Who Do You Think You Are?” sets the scene for what ensues, with Outlaw’s voice prominent and all other ingredients set perfectly around it. The track has easy mariachi horns and plenty of charm.
“Keep It Interesting” lopes along gracefully, canny pedal steel, violin and guitar interloping. The twanging honky tonker is as country as you’ll get on this collection, wrongs have been done, but there’s a sharp plot twist.
“Love Her For A While” is an ethereal homespun pleasure, while on the title track, the alluring story unfolds of a child whose soul and future is reflected in his eyes.
“Country Love Song” tells of the struggles of work and the doubt-riddled decision of leaving a woman behind. The dangling electric guitar riff is simple but immaculate. It’s a particular favourite of mine, as is the beautifully distressing “Ghost Town” about the loss of his mother.
Here’s a video of that song:
There’s more honky tonk, as well as alcohol-soaked wit in “Jesus Take The Wheel (And Drive Me To A Bar)” – Jesus is his designated driver, giving him the freedom for more than a few drinks at his favourite watering holes.
“It Might Kill Me” sounds breezy but at its core are some dark heartbreaking lyrics. “Old Fashioned” ups the ante even further, a slow chanter with exquisite harmonies and arrangements, soulful and caressing. So sublime. So emotional.
Sam Outlaw has a lot going for him. Talented singer and songwriter. A fan in Ry Cooder who guides this project with a subtlety and delicacy that is a pleasure to behold. Angeleno is an outstanding debut. I imagine that it will feature in my top twenty releases of the year (watch this space).
By the way, I’m thrilled that Outlaw isn’t a highly successful Country Star.
Thanks to Thrillhill
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