Texas Headhunters: Rise And Shine Review

It feels like just yesterday that I was reviewing the Texas Headhunters’ self-titled debut album, and I was anticipating what would come next for the band. Well, my questions have been answered.

The three core members have remained together while touring, including dates with Samantha Fish, receiving widespread acclaim for the last album. More recently, they have been back in the studio recording their brand new album, Rise And Shine. It is set to be released on October 10th. Amazingly, as they did with their first album, they recorded this album in only five days.

Referred to by some as a blues-rock supergroup, the threesome of Ian Moore, Jesse Dayton, and Johnny Moeller each had their own careers when they formed Texas Headhunters. Each of them was also a product of the legendary Clifford Antone (Antone’s Blues Club in Austin, Texas), who provided guidance and influence to the trio.

Furthermore, all three are Texans and guitarists, and as a colorful saying about Texans goes, “this ain’t their first rodeo.” Ian Moore spent time in Joe Ely’s band in the early 1990s, the Ian Moore Band (his own group), and the Lossy Coils. Jesse Dayton was a member of Road Kings and Alamo Jets and did work on some Rob Zombie movie soundtracks. Johnny Moeller is a member of the Fabulous Thunderbirds.

There is one unarguable certainty shared between Moore, Dayton, and Moeller. Each is a superb musician, a guitarist to be specific, and each shines throughout this brand new release. They are also supported by a couple of other great musicians: Michael Archer on bass and Jay Moeller (Johnny’s brother) on drums.

One great way to grab a listener’s attention immediately is to kick off an album with a “banger” of a tune, and Texas Headhunters do exactly that on Rise And Shine with “Cut N Run.” It’s also a preview of the great stuff to come. This one is a rocker, and the guitar work here is excellent, as it is throughout this whole recording.

Dayton sings, “I gave you everything I could possibly give. Still I know you’ll be leaving me soon,” and “this ain’t no more fun, baby’s gonna cut and run.” When that kind of thing happens, there is really only about one thing to do: say, “Fare ye well my darling.” This tune was released as a follow-up to their first release, which I’ll talk about a little later.

With a slow, smoky, bluesy start, “I Did It Anyway” offers up some useful advice that goes like this: “They say never get your honey the same place you get your money, but I did it anyway. They say never buy a house with a woman that’s ready to move out, but I did it anyway.”

Don’t we all know folks who don’t listen to good advice? They’ve just got to find out for themselves. This one picks up the pace and keeps offering plenty of good common-sense advice about what we shouldn’t do. But too many times, we have to admit that we didn’t listen and end up saying, “I did it anyway.” It’s a lighthearted piece that most of us will identify with and laugh along with as we listen.

The seventh track on Rise And Shine is the title track, “Rise And Shine.” This cut features Moore, Dayton, and Moeller sharing the vocal contributions. I really love the hand clapping in this song with that boogie beat that the band has going on. “Don’t let that devil get you down in his hole. Just rise and shine.” The song warns us to stay away from that devil and not let him get us down.

“That’s The Kind Of Fool I’ll Be” is a slow, bluesy song that makes us ponder if love can really make you crazy. “So I’m crazy people say. But love can make you feel that way. And if it’s crazy to be in love, I ain’t been crazy long enough.” The song continues with, “and if you’re still here with me, that’s the kind of fool I’ll be.”

Has love ever made you crazy? If it has, then you’ll have no difficulty understanding what this song is all about.

I would also encourage you to check out the instrumental “Funky So N So,” which really highlights the outstanding musicianship of the members of Texas Headhunters.

Texas Headhunters have delivered another high-quality, excellently performed recording with Rise And Shine, a perfect follow-up to their first album release. If, for some reason, you missed that self-titled release, give it a listen in addition to checking this new one out.

As I always do, I would also suggest catching them live if you have a chance. Check their social media for dates. There are also live clips of the band on YouTube, along with music from both of their albums and check out our recent interview with the band.

The Review: 8.5/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Cut N Run
– I Did It Anyway
– Rise And Shine
– That’s The Kind Of Fool I’ll Be

The Big Hit

– Cut N Run