Povertyneck Hillbillies: Don’t Look Back
Friday, August 22nd, 2008
The following album review was not created by Music Review Zone. This is a guest post by Christina over at God, History and You.
The title of the Sonny & Cher classic “Baby, Don’t Go” best expresses my feelings upon hearing of the break-up of the country group “formerly known as” PovertyNeck Hillbillies (PNH). I had barely begun to get to know them before they disbanded…I may never get over this!
The gritty gutsiness of lead singer “Abby” Abbondonza’s voice has got to be the singularly most outstanding trait of this group of musicians. Passionate joy rumbles just below the surface of their music. Add to this strength of emotion and the power of truth and, when the PovertyNeck Hillbillies perform, they rock the house. (I’d read somewhere that these guys were Christians, too, so for me [as a Christian,] that puts ‘em over the top!)
The “Don’t Look Back” album, number two in a catalogue of three from the band, has some typically corny country themes (Jericho - a saloon shoot-out over a woman and, sorry, son, but you’re gonna hang) and some twangy guitar here and there. What would country music be without twangy guitar, right? But I wouldn’t classify the PNH’s style as hard-core country, not at all. Somethin’ about that joy… PovertyNeck Hillbillies offer substance, solid performances that leave you exhilarated and satisfied at the same time.
My personal faves:
- The Night that Changed My Life (a joyful, joyful song)
- She Rides Wild Horses (eloquent piano, haunting fiddle)
- The Hillbilly Way (pulls no punches, makes no excuses - Love ‘im or leave ‘im, baby!)
Track-Listing:
- The Night That Changed My Life
- Heaven Help Me
- The Hillbilly Way
- Kinda Cool Ain’t It
- One Night in New Orleans
- She Rides Wild Horses
- Jericho
- Any Road
- Mr. Right Now
- Born To Be Free
Fellas, God be with you all, and may your future separate endeavours prove the truth of that telling axiom that the sum of the parts is greater than the whole.