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Jason and The Scorchers - Still Standing (1986/2002 Remaster)
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 If Jason and The Scorchers were not the originators of alternate country rock, or cowpunk as some call it, I do not know who was. They were the only group of this genre I ever bothered to check out. When they suddenly broke onto the scene in the eighties, their hard rock guitar sound coupled with Jason Ringenberg’s vocals really caught my ear. I did not realize it until now why. They fondly reminded me of Creedence Clearwater Revival in some ways, whose music I have always loved.
“Still Standing” remains a benchmark album for all others that have come after them to imitate. They had a legendary and rabid following, though small, and not the customary fortune and fame that usually comes with those pleasures. This type of music has always had an enthusiastic audience, and that is putting it mildly, but never the kind to push the genre over the top to the next level.
This remastered CD with bonus tracks highlights their powerful sound with all the snappy and biting guitar riffs of Warren Hodges, the explosive rhythm section of Jeff Johnson (bass) and Perry Braggs (drums), and the expressive vocals of Ringenberg. I have noticed on remastered albums that the bass comes more to the front end of the sound giving the music an overall depth and strength that was not there previously, and this remaster is a good example of that.
The CD opens with a scorching track called “Golden Ball and Chain” and the acoustic hook laden calling out of “Ocean of Doubt” shows how the group could reach down and pull out all of their roots from Nashville with melodious acoustic guitar, fiddle, and wanting vocals. I always appreciated their raucous version of the Rolling Stones fantastic “19th Nervous Breakdown,” it really smoked. It is why I always remembered this album, after all, who could forget a Stones song? In decade with only a few bright spots, Jason and The Scorchers stand out as one of the stars that burned the brightest.
© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck |
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