Texas based singer/songwriter/ picker John Baumann of The Panhandlers follows-up 2017’s Proving Grounds with his third solo album Country Shade – an album inspired by traditional country music rarely heard on the radio anymore. Baumann’s songs bring to mind images of rural landscapes and the values of rolling up your sleeves and working hard while also taking the time to appreciate the people and places that really matter in our lives. Country Shade was produced by Justin Pollard (also on percussion) who enlisted a top-notch band with the likes of: Doug Pettibone (Steve Earle, Mark Knopfler) on pedal steel, Aden Brubeck (Miranda Lambert) on bass, Nick Gardner (San Cisco) on guitar, Michael Ramos (John Mellencamp) on keys, Wes Hightower (George Strait, Willie Nelson) on background vocals, Jeff Saenz (Paul Cauthen, Ruby Boots) on harmonica and electric guitar, and Nate Coon (Aaron Watson) on percussion. Standout tracks include: the introspective opening track “The Country Doesn’t Sound the Same”; a track that reflects on when times were better on “Homesick for the Heartland”; the ballad about living for the moment “Next Ride Around the Sun”; the single on unconditional love “Fool’s Crusade”; a play on Kris Kristofferson’s “Sunday Morning Coming Down” on “Sunday Morning Coming Up”; the witty mid-tempo number “Flight Anxiety”; and the heartbreaker “Daylights Burning.” John Baumann’s Country Shade is another solid release and an enjoyable listen that will satisfy your need for new traditional country music. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Dalton Domino, Flatland Cavalry, The Panhandlers, Red Shahan, The Steel Wheels