West Valley Highway
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West Valley Highway

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Music

The best kept secret in music

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"KEXP.org review"

Expectations were high when this Seattle-area band first formed a couple years ago, thanks to the inclusion of some prominent former members of the highly touted local honky tonk band the Souvenirs. Well, honky tonk fans can rejoice: West Valley Highway’s debut album fits right alongside the Souvenirs’ King of Heartache as one of the finest country albums produced in the Northwest.

The sound shares some similarities with the Souvenirs: stylish Bakersfield honky tonk with lots of memorable pop hooks, but West Valley Highway also adds some occasional bluegrass flavor (including some prominent banjo on a few songs) and a bit more of a down-home feel.

Lead vocalist and drummer Boots Kutz sang harmony along with the occasional lead vocal in the Souvenirs, but he takes center stage here and turns out to be a mighty fine country singer with a resonant twang reminiscent of Dwight Yoakam. Guitarist Mo contributes some sharp guitar picking, and members of the band add some stellar harmonizing to Kutz’s lead vocals.

And like the Souvenirs, West Valley Highway has plenty of great songs, many of which could possibly receive commercial airplay in a better world. “One of These Days” glides along a classic-sounding melody with alternating electric guitar and steel while taking to task an unfaithful guy, and “I’m That Man” professes heartfelt devotion while being propelled forward by banjo picking and killer harmonies. “Back to Bakersfield” is a great Tex Mex-spiced tribute to Buck Owens & the Buckaroos with alternating lead vocals from Kutz and rhythm guitarist Terry Bratsch, who also contributes a fine lead on the loping shuffle “She’s the Kind.”

Other highlights include the poignant title song about a small town changing beyond recognition, a sweet tribute to a kind old man named “Emmett,” the bitter yet defiant Bakersfield country rocker “A Lifetime Ago,” and the fiddle-driven barroom tune “Closing Time.” Unlike a lot of self-released CDs, the album is beautifully produced, with a spare and clear sound that doesn’t bury the vocals or rich country instrumentation in the mix.

Not only is Marysville the best Northwest honky tonk album released since King of Heartache, it’ll likely be one of the finest honky tonk albums produced this year from anywhere. - Don Slack, KEXP 90.3FM


Discography

"Marysville", self-released in Feb. 2006, 10 tracks
We currently are being played regularly on KEXP (kexp.org) and KSER, and "I'm That Man" has seen heavy rotation as a single relased in early 2005.

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Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

From stripped down Bakersfield shuffles, to lush jazz tinged bar room ballads, West Valley Highway's combination of crystal clear voices, poignant lyrics, beautiful guitar work, rock solid rhythm and well crafted songs are what "honky tonk" music is all about.

Their song "I'm that Man" was one of KEXP's most requested singles of 2004 and was chosen as the #1 country album of 2005 by Swingin' Doors host Don Slack. Featuring bluegrass instrumentation and stunning precision harmony vocals, "I'm that Man" earned the band new fans, as well as opening slots for country heavyweights Dale Watson and Junior Brown.

"One of These Days" was selected to be part of the "Mission Accomplished" episode of the FX original television series "Over There" which aired Sept. 7th, 2005.

The year 2006 promises to be a banner year for West Valley Highway. Look for their full length album due out this February and show dates in your home town.

Quotes:
"Not only is Marysville the best Northwest honky tonk album released since [The Souvenirs'] King of Heartache, it'll likely be one of the finest honky tonk albums produced this year from anywhere."
- Don Slack, KEXP 90.3FM, kexp.org