Brent Allen: Press

Brent Allen...(is) an Austin songwriting singer with a traditional bent in his country, with smooth vocals to match his delivery. His second album, "There's a Lot of Folks Like Me," is chock-full of western swing and honky-tonk about loving, losing and trying to forget.

He got a little help from some big names, too, including about half of Asleep at the Wheel, Merle Haggard's guitarist Redd Volkaert and Robert Earl Keen's steel guitarist, Marty Muse.

My pal Brent Allen put out a very good country record a few months back, "There's a Lot of Folks Like Me" (well, not that many with HIS voice!). He's got Dale Watson partnering with him on "Hair of the Dog," he's got a Freddy Powers song written just for this recording - "On the Road to My Heart"; he's got a Phillip Gibbs song, "The Whiskey Won't Help" (and Phil oughta know??); plus "Best Friend I Never Had" by Rick Cates and Brent's great producer Stephen Doster (that name alone suggests this music is worth listening to). Among the "slouches" (sic) playing Brent's (and the other) songs are Casper Rawls, Redd Voelkart, and Doster on guitars; David Carroll on bass; Dave Sanger on drums; Jason Roberts on fiddle, mandolin, and mandola; the great Marty Muse (yes, he played with Gram and Emmy Lou) on pedal steel; John Michael Whitby on piano; and Doster, Watson, and the beautiful Elizabeth McQueen on harmony vocals.

Now Brent has paid his dues with the Austin Songwriters' Group -- helped a lot of fellow musicians get venues and a fair hearing. Plus he's a great guy! Stephen Doster worked with Brent intimately throughout this year-long recording project -- and the love shines through. This is pure country -- not alt country or nuevo country -- which fully explains why Brent is a favorite out at Hill's Cafe... I really like "Day Job," which reminds me of a conversation I had just last night with Jeremy Harrell -- about it interfering with his night job. There's the Ray Benson-esque ""If I Could Just Get Back (into the swing of things again)," one of two (plus the title track) co-written by Doster. The bottom line -- if you like Asleep at the Wheel, you just might like Brent's music, too. Of course I am going to be unfair and say my favorite song on the record is the Freddy Powers tune -- but Brent's own "Hopelessly in Love" (autobiographical sketch??) is pretty darn good too! But this is a record that belongs with a dance floor -- at places like the Broken Spoke and Midnight Rodeo.

Brent Allen's sophomore album, There's a Lot of Folks Like Me, is more convincing in its country populism, especially as most folks would sing about as flat. Allen's at his best, though, working laid-back, down-low Texas honky-tonk numbers like "Day Job" and Dale Watson-backed "Hair of the Dog."

Brent Allen is a top-notch, no-nonsense songwriter and singer who has a wonderful sense of hooks and melody. It was a pleasure working with a truly first rate team on this CD and I'm sure music listeners everywhere will enjoy this music as much as I do.

Traditional Country Music at its best:

Brent Allen has provided one of the best Traditional Country Music Albums released in 2007 with his Release "There's A Lot Of folks Like Me".
With his Rich Texas voice, Brent is 1st Class all the way with his hard drivin' staight ahead Country, with Tunes like "Day Job" and the Dale Watson penned "Hair Of The Dog" and then slips effortlessly into the Western Swing mode with "If I Could Get Back (Into The Swing Of Things) and "On The Road To My Heart".
"I Just Can't Ask You To Stay","Best Friend I Never Had" and the Title Track "There's A Lot Of Folks Like Me" are Pure Traditional Country as it should be played and Brent is just at ease with the Heartfelt Ballads of "I'll See You In My Dreams" and "The Whiskey Won't Help".
So if you are "Tryin' To Keep A Woman Off My Mind" put Brent Allen's Album in the CD Player and kick back with a few Beer's and all will be right with the world.
Reviewer - Rod Bradey, Stone Cold Country, Yarra Valley FM 99.1, Melbourne, Australia

Brent Allen's new CD release, "There's A Lot of Folks Like Me" is a great addition to any Texas Music Fan's library! Brent melds his pure tones with the musical talents of some Texas greats... He celebrates the old time feel of the roots of Texas music while bringing it up to date with his own unique flair! Don't miss getting your hands on a copy of Brent Allen's "There's A Lot of Folks Like Me" - it's in my player right now!
~Dawn Dale
The Texas Rebel Radio Network
www.texasrebelradio.com