Gin Palace Jesters' CD Reviews for "Roadhouse Riot... and other songs with words "

Roadhouse RIot CD cover

POP MATTERS

The Gin Palace Jesters
Roadhouse Riot and Other Songs With Words
(The Gin Palace Jesters)
US release date: 27 December 2007
UK release date: Available as import
by Juli Thanki

Since the WLS National Barn Dance first aired in 1924, Chicago has maintained a flourishing country music scene, serving as home base for folks like Robbie Fulks and Bloodshot Records. The Gin Palace Jesters are Chicago’s best kept secret. On Roadhouse Riot and Other Songs With Words they serve up barroom raucousness in an outstanding follow up to 2004’s fantastic Honkytonk Fools (Rhythm Bomb Records). No sophomore slump here. If anything, the Jesters have only improved in the past three years.

The Gin Palace Jesters are well-versed in country music history, drawing from legends like Webb Pierce and Buck Owens, even to the point of having a traditional “girl singer”, Fiddlin’ Katie Schadegg, who ain’t just a pretty face, but also an amazing instrumentalist (a classically trained violinist) and a game duet partner for frontman and lead guitarist Pennsylvania Dave Sisson. In an era when even the most old-school country bands look like they go straight from the stage to sleeping on sidewalk grates, the Jesters wear matching outfits. It’s a throwback to the days of early country and rockabilly, when pomaded fellas in pearl snap shirts were the norm.

The album kicks off with “Losing Her Memory,” a fantastic drinking song which features Sisson imploring a bartender to “tell the band to turn their guitars way up loud / and pull the cap off one more bottle of beer” in an attempt to forget the one who’s done him wrong. Stereotypical subjects for a country song, certainly, but it hasn’t been done this well since country’s golden age of the 1940s and 1950s. “You Cry Alone,” written by rhythm guitarist Ken Mottet, is an upbeat kissoff to a straying lover. And upbeat kissoffs don’t get better than this: “Welcome to misery / prepare for the heartache...”, the lyrics go, “...When it hurts right down to the bone / you’ll cry alone.”

“Ol’ Webb’s Bullhorn Pontiac” pays tribute to the man with Nashville’s first pimped-out ride. I’d love this song simply because Webb Pierce is one of my country heroes, but the fact that Sisson is possibly the first country songwriter to use the word “ostentatious” in a song (take that, country singers who glorify redneck stereotypes—coughcoughTobyKeithcough) cements my devotion to the album’s best track.

The one snoozer here is “Moonbeam”. On any other record by any other band it would be a great song, but here it lacks the inherent sly wit of Sisson’s other, stronger works. Being sandwiched between two upbeat songs, “You Cry Alone” and “Ol’ Webb’s Bullhorn Pontiac”, only serves to reinforce its comparative boringness. A couple of well-chosen covers round out the song selection. Dave Sisson and bass player Casey Stockdon duet on the Louvin Brothers’ “Are You Missing Me” while the Buck Owens’ song “Second Fiddle” sees Schadegg rocking the fiddle as a counterpoint to Sisson’s smooth baritone. The final song of the record, “Last One’s Left Waltz”, sees Sisson and Schadegg attempting to rhyme “alcohol” with “waltz”. That’s normally an unforgiveable sin (seriously, on what planet do those two words even come close to rhyming?), but the song is so catchy that this lapse in lyrical judgment can easily be overlooked. This is the best drinking duet since Loretta Lynn and Jack White’s “Portland, Oregon”.

Although technically released in the last week of 2007, Roadhouse Riot is going to be one of the best country records of the new year. It is a must-have for anyone who loves good old American music. Neotraditionalist darlings BR549 better watch their backs, because the Gin Palace Jesters are on the rise. Now if only they’d tour outside of Illinois…

 

Rootsville (Belgium) Translation from Flemish

GIN PALACE JESTERS: Roadhouse Riot... and Other Songs With Words


Chicago's original honky-tonk fools. And what are the boys and girls serving us? Well, on the menu there’s (among other styles) Hillbilly, Honky-Tonk, Country Boogie & Western Swing.

A four course menu with heartfelt love songs, honky-tonk weepers, drinking songs and love ballads. Music that automatically make you think at old glory’s like Hank Williams, Ray Price, Lefty Frizell, Faron Young or at their contemporary follow-up like BR5-49, Ray Condo & his Ricochets or Dale Watson. The Gin Palace Jesters, under leadership of "Pennsylvania" Dave Sisson, electric and acoustic guitars, vocals (once frontman and songwriter from the Three Blue Teardrops) fixed it with their debut CD, which came out on Rhythm Bomb Records, to keep all country, honky tonk and western swing eyes on their direction. The album was recorded in Nashville and Chicago and for that occasion the members of the band had some help from Rosie Flores and Jason Carter (Del McCoury band).

Even Conway Twitty came over to join hem with the last song "Nashville Penny". The follow-up CD "Roadhouse Riot and other songs with words" serves us some new faces who extend the band seriously. From now on Gabriel Stutz /pedal steel, recently mama Katie Shadegg / fiddle & vocals, Casey Stockdon , "the Barefoot Boy", / upright bass & vocals, Ken Mottet / rhythm gt & vocals, Rick Murawski / drums & vocals en Dave Sisson are the ones who make the good weather with the Gin Palace Jesters. They didn’t change a lot on their traditional sound and the opening track "Losing Her Memory" immediately brings you in the atmosphere of "bartenders, a bottle of beer, dim lights, thick smoke & loud loud music". Honky - tonkin', cry - in a - beer - songs ( "Reflections don't Lie .. a lonely man sings a lonely song) , the warning finger in the air on "You Cry Alone", a whining pedal steel on the weeper "Moonbeam", "Ol' Webb's Bullhorn Pontiac" … all traditional country recepients are present again. Charlie & Ira Louvin's "Are You Missing Me" surely gives the record a plus point and belongs, together with Alvis Edgar "Buck" Owens' "Second Fiddle", to the rare covers on this record. For the 12 other songs this record could count on the “songwriter-ship” of Dave Sisson, Buddy Carter, Ken Mottet, Paul Cook. “Our own people has to be served on the first place” ...where else have we heard this? (=> allusion on words from “Vlaams Blok”, a Flemish nationalist political party)

Gladly the Gin Palace Jesters don’t know about our (political) evil and with the western swing "Lonely and blue ...Too Sad to Stay" and "The Roadhouse Riot" things are going more peaceful, but be carefully of the whole gang join in the Fracas !!! Music calms down and invites for a dance ...the country shuffle "Hit the Bricks" is doing the rest.

The party surely goes on till abroad daylight and for everyone who can’t get enough of it, gladly there’s always the replay button! This is the solid sound of real country straight from America's Heartland. Cd Baby & SWA

 

Planet Rockabilly-by Matty-O Daddy- O

The Gin Palace Jesters – "Roadhouse Riot…and Other Songs With Words" (self released)


On the pilgrimage to the holy land of sparkly suits and pointed boots, the Gin Palace Jesters are Chicago's answer to the honky-tonk country music lover's dream. They got it all…pedal steel, slap bass, fiddle and git-pickin' fools. Hell, they've even got drums!!! Here's the scorecard: Dave Sisson on vocals/lead guitar, Casey Stockdon on slap bass, Katie Schandegg on fiddle, Rick Murawski on drums, Gabriel Stutz on pedal steel and Ken Mottet on rhythm guitar…heck they all throw some vocal support on there too.


With "Roadhouse Riot", the GPJ's second full length CD, the gang has pulled out all the stops and supplied us with a heap o' tunes that would have Hank Williams tapping his toes and hitting the jug. Lot's of good originals abound on this one. Songs about heartache, lust and Webb Pierce's Bullhorn Cadillac make this a true modern testament to the golden age of country music. The sound on the CD is pretty slick and well produced. Nice job on the packaging and tilt of the hat to some fine and fancy original cover artwork by Jimmy Sutton. Pick this one up and get to stepping!!


Track list:
Losing Her Memory/You Cry Alone/Moonbeam/Ol' Webb's Bullhorn Pontiac/Are You Missing Me/Too Sad to Stay(& Much Too Scared to Leave)/Down Beneath the Willows/Roadhouse Riot/Reflections Don't Lie/Alison Rose/Second Fiddle/Hit The Bricks/Goody Gumdrops/Last One's Left Waltz

 

Yesterday and Today.com.au
The Gin Palace Jesters – “Roadhouse Riot …and Other Songs With Words”

Great indie album of hillbilly music which is reminiscent of BR549, with the main vocalist being a tad like Hank III in places. “Ol’ Webb’s Bullhorn Pontiac” is a tremendous upbeat song which combines elements of “Phantom 309” with the mystical appearance of Webb Pierce’s famous car. The opening Duane Eddy style guitar on this track is a killer. While most of the tracks are originals they do two covers which breathe freshness into both. The Louvin Brothers’ “Are You Missing Me” has an intriguing guitar and steel interplay and a fine duet vocal between Dave Sisson and fiddler Kate Schadegg, who is classically trained but shows great savvy throughout. The other cover is an exceptional slow version of Buck’s “Second Fiddle”(which features some excellent fiddling). Steel guitarist Gabriel Stutz is also a standout throughout. “Roadhouse Riot” starts with a lick from “Your Cheatin’ Heart” and the story line is about the guy who decides he’ll shoot out the jukebox (which of course is playing “Your Cheatin’ Heart). “Reflections Don’t Lie” is the singer’s reflection on meeting an old friend who had fallen on tough times. “Alison Rose” offers a nice contrast as it features rhythm guitarist Ken Mottet on vocals. A great little ditty. The album concludes with “Last One’s Left Waltz” another duet between guitarist and fiddler. 14 tracks. Top drawer all the way. Brilliant cover too!

 

Americana.UK - Reviewer Kai Roberts

Honkytonk traditionalists with post-modern tendencies

Too often when you're confronted with a picture of a band in matching uniforms, you fear the work of over-earnest revivalists with nothing new to offer. However, taken in tandem with the album title, it's already clear that the Gin Palace Jesters season their honkytonk with a hint of irony. Such an attitude is certainly evident in the music, sometimes threatening to overwhelm it. The title track, for example, veers too close to parody, a problem exacerbated by the addition of a faux bar-room atmosphere to the background. It didn't work for Gram Parsons on 'Cash On the Barrelhead' and it isn't going to work here.

For the most part, however, primary songwriter Dave Sisson is skilled enough to sustain your patience through the occasional affectation. He has knack for writing vintage honkytonk and western swing with an aphoristic lyrical sensibility, ably communicating the heartbreak and loss in which such songs trade. It's a talent best evinced on opener, 'Losing Her Memory' and the wonderfully acute 'Too Sad to Stay (& Much Too Scared to Leave).' Meanwhile, 'Down Beneath the Willows' is a haunting minor key waltz more than fit to join the pantheon of Appalachian death songs.

Sisson's voice is sufficiently resonant to carry the material, although it perhaps lacks any truly distinctive quality, whilst he is backed throughout by exemplary musicianship, particularly from Gabriel Stutz on pedal steel and Katie Schadegg on fiddle. The sound can occasionally feel too clean but this does not too severely compromise the atmosphere of the album. On the whole, it's a collection which captures all the warmth and grit you'd expect from an authentic honkytonk band, augmenting it with enough knowing iconoclasm to keep the formula fresh.

 

Slipcue-by Joe Sixpack

The Gin Palace Jesters "Roadhouse Riot" (Self-Released, 2007)
(Produced by Dave Sisson)
Now, see, these folks are talking my language!! This is fun, good, old-fashioned hillbilly music, full of plenty of clatter and twang, and tons of pep and moxie. The Jesters mix a few well-chosen oldies with a slew of fine originals, mainly written by lead vocalist Dave Sisson (who is one talented fellow...) and it all sounds quite fine. Two songs won me over right away: their cover of an old Jim & Jesse classic, "Are You Missing Me" (a longtime favorite of mine, originally written by the Louvin Brothers) and "Ol' Webb's Bullhorn Pontiac," a fine tribute to my hero, the late, great Webb Pierce, who was the first artist I profiled on this site, lo, those many years ago. I mean, golly, what else can I say? I'm sold! I've been hearing about these guys for a while now, and I'm psyched I finally got to check them out... They've been called one of Chicago's best alt-country bands -- I think that can be upgraded to one of the finest bands around, period. Fans of Dave & Deke and other retro-hick bands will definitely want to check these guys out... They're the real deal! (Available through the band's website at: www.ginpalacejesters.com )

 

Gin Palace Jesters
Roadhouse Riot And Other Songs With Words
(2007)
5 STARS *****
Possible Styles: honky tonk, country, western swing, hillbilly
Submitted by: kitti.
Publication date - 08-03-08
Copyrights: Really Rockabilly

The album “Roadhouse Riot” welcomes you to the world of love, sorrow, dancin' and beer.
The first song “Losing Her Memory” opens the doors and invites us back to the past to a cozy bar filled with smoke and music, where people drink, chat and share their tragic life and love stories.
The Gin Palace Jesters, a Chicago hillbilly honky tonk band (with five members swapping lead vocals), will help us to show all dark and bright sides of country music on their new album. I like their previous CD “Honky Tonk Fools” very much, and as for me I think it had more rockin’ tunes, which I liked a lot. Though this one is also perfectly arranged and produced (well, probably because the producer of it is also the lead singer, guitar player and talented songwriter Dave Sisson… so he knows exactly how to show the heart and soul of his band). And having the beautiful addition Katie Schadegg on fiddle (just listen to those sweet solos in “Second Fiddle” or “Down Beneath The Willow”) and also as back and lead vocal singer helps the band makes their sound complete.
All 14 songs, from love ballads (such as “Moonbeam”, with crying pedal steel and shadowing it clear fiddle playing) to drinking and dancing honky tonk songs (like “You Cry Alone”), have their own features (and its own precise comment if you open booklet and read it carefully). Most of the them are self-penned, only two are covers – “Second Fiddle” (of Alvis Edgar (Buck) Owens) and “Are You Missing Me”, where you can hear wonderful duet of Dave Sisson and Casey Stockdon, the bass player (also playing banjo on some tracks), covering The Louvin Brothers’ song. “Too Sad To Stay” is one more treasure you can discover on this CD. This slow and sorrowful composition contains short solos of every instrument. Especially I enjoyed the pedal steel sound of Gabriel Stutz and lead guitar of "Pennsylvania" Dave Sisson. Roadhouse Riot – certainly the central song of the album perfectly shows the live atmosphere of those days and the mix of instruments with wonderful harmony singing makes this song really very special and gives the feeling of jumpin’ up and joinin’ the dancing crowd. Another favorite is “Hit the Bricks”, where you can recognize the rockabilly sound and hear the nice work of drummer Rick Muravski keeping proper rhythm and giving proper mood for the song where you can immediately recognize influence of Carl Mann. The last song “Last One’s Left Waltz” is perfect for moving around the dance floor in country western waltz and at the same time with it warm sadness waving us goodbye, but promising to meet again next time.
One more person left unnoticed. And this is the essential one - Ken “the Mayor” Mottet – acoustic rhythm guitar player. You are not only hear his supportive and thus ideal playing in every track, but can also hear his singing his own composition “Alison Rose”. Very good vocal and cute song!
And finally, I would also add some words about front cover. It is not only music itself who deep you into western swing and honky tonk, you don’t even need to open cd box to understand what is all about. Two sentences “The Gin Palace Jesters” and “Road Riot... and other songs with words” already prepare you to hear the perfect sound (and show that this album is worth to have on your shelf as a must addition to your collection of honky tonk music)… but with the combination of nice work of art by Jimmy Sutton it gives no doubt what this cd is going to be about.
Well, instrumentally professional band plus ideal vocal and harmony singing plus knowledge of style plus interesting full of sense lyrics… Well, sounds quite perfect to me!