Music
Press
Crosstie Walkers Reviewed by Eric Zehnbauer Subscribe to Country CD Reviews CD Reviews KINDLE: Changing the way people read Concert, CMA, Kenny Chesney, and Rascal Flatts Tickets Cheap tickets: McGraw, Chesney, Houston Rodeo, Flatts, and Nelson tickets CDs by Crosstie Walkers * Last Straws (2000) * For other artists, see the CD Review Archive On this, their third full-length release, Georgia natives the Crosstie Walkers planted themselves firmly in the Americana genre. Anchored by the shimmering lead vocals of Charlie Knox, four members contribute to the warm, cozy harmonies that are quite comforting to the ear. Likewise, the guitar work is richly layered,with all four vocalists also playing guitar of one form or another. As talented as this group of musicians is, they are much more pop/rock than country. One can imagine that if some of their tunes were played as extended jams, they could be compared to the Grateful Dead, especially on "Railroad Street." On the closing "Thomson Shakes," the Walkers do their best Bob Dylan impersonation. This track could be a perfect cover for Dylan; the lyrical phrasing, playing style, and vocal style are very much inDylan's style. Although not much to offer the traditional country fan, the Crosstie Walkers should hold plenty of appeal to the Americana listener, or to those classic rock fans who like their rock a little softer, folkier and twangier. - Country Standard Time
Discography
Jitterbug Escapes
"carl..."
Last Straw
Headed Home
Photos
Bio
The Crosstie Walkers formed in 1991 at a small lake house in Thomson, Ga. It began as a four-piece group including Charlie Knox, Don Powers, Tommy Powers, and Greg Purvis. Singer/songwriter Scott Roberts joined the band in 1993 to complete the current lineup.
They have performed with such acts as Little Feat, Steve Forbert, Chuck Leavell, Guadalcanal Diary, Randall Bramblett, Iris Dement, and America. The Crosstie Walkers are also a favorite at the Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival near Augusta, Ga.
Over 16 years together the band has produced four full-length recordings. The first of the four, ÒJitterbug Escapes,Ó was recorded in the lake house where that first rehearsal took place. They recorded their second album Òcarl,Ó in 1994 at Rocketsound Studio in Athens, Ga. Each album has seen them grow as songwriters and musicians.
The third album "Last Straw" (1997) displayed the arrival of a solid pop/folk implosion, which brought a strong response from a wide variety of listeners. They have been compared to acts such as the Beatles, the Byrds, SonVolt, Steve Earle, REM, and the Vigilantes of Love.
The band's current release, "Headed Home" is a homespun assortment of alternative Georgia country, power indi pop, and raspy gospel annointing, all stamped with the Crosstie's uniquely layered arrangements and pleasing vocal harmonies. It's a project that was recorded at home, and makes you feel at home; a beautifully rendered album cataloging the gratitude of blessings, the frustrations of unrealized dreams, and the expectations of moving forward...of Heading Home.
Links