by rudyards | November 3rd, 2012
Masada (Reunited members of the Zealots)
“The Zealots, a new wave party band in Nacodgoches, TX. … playing the piney woods circuit. Imagine a punkish band with Marshall stacks showing up at a honkey tonk down a bunch of dirt roads deep in the east Texas woods……remember that scene from the Blues Brothers with the chicken wire in front of the stage? It was just like that!” – Russell Callendar (Ex-Zealots)
https://www.feoyloco.com/
“The weirdest thing we’ve ever seen.”
The New York Daily News, New York, New York
“Almost every song leaves you apprehensive,
because if this stuff really happens, we’re all in a world of shit.”
The Crested Butte Chronicle and Pilot, Crested Butte, Colorado
“We can’t figure out who they sound like.”
The Houston Chronicle, Houston, Texas
“If their songs were made into a movie,
that movie would make Pulp Fiction seem like a picnic with nuns.”
The Santa Clara Press, Santa Clara, CA
“Stay away from my sister, you goombahs.”
Salvatore “Greasy Finger” Tortolini, Bayonne, New Jersey
Ray Younkin (Houston, TX)
https://www.myspace.com/rayyounkin
Ray Younkin uses his talent to tell stories, and wonderful stories they are. The 2005 offering, “TAKE ME SLOW,” is a twelve-cut treasure of soothing guitar, stunning vocals, perfect lyrics, and grand imagination. The fully orchestrated tracks are absolutely masterful. This is Younkin’s best work. The production, arrangements, and delivery of this album are award-worthy at every turn. Younkin uses familiar sounds with innovative rhythms and creates one of the most comfortable album’s I’ve ever heard. Every second of the album is an embrace, a kind touch, a hand-holding not to be missed. Every Shake Russell fan will marvel at Younkin’s voice. Dylan fans will remark of Younkin’s lyrics. Tommy Elskes fans will enjoy Younkin’s delivery. Balladeer fans rejoice, Ray Younkin is one of the best ever. Younkin also collected his tributes and songs of life, love, and loss into a fine debut offering, “1000 YEARS.” A worthy first project, Younkin’s vocals are soothing and comfortable as he tells of life through the eyes of an observant poet. Songs to fallen friends are not always the best subject matter, but Younkin finds just the right words in “Deliberate Tears.” The speculation and yearning of a youngster’s point of view shines through on the melodious “The Day That Matthew Cries,” and a true anthem is born in Younkin’s “Coffeehouse Anthem” stating the facts about being cognizant of one’s inner dreams and doubting their attainability.
