Ready for a farm-fresh collection of country and Americana music from boot-stomping, cattle-rearing independent artists? Bongo Boy Records, the indisputable champions of independent, freedom-seeking balladeers, delivers their latest country/Americana collection, Homestead Volume Eight. Reverberating from lush, swaying fields and deep, yawning canyons, the latest edition of Bongo Boy Records’ Homestead collection is the perfect soundtrack for exploring the heartland on horseback, or perhaps protecting generational land from big city profiteers. Ready to listen to the swaying, string-plucked tones of cabin-dwelling bards extolling the grassy grandeur of God’s country??? Let’s listen, and talk about it.
Listening, and talking about it.
Homestead Volume Eight begins with label regular Gar Francis and “Plain as the Nose on Her Lips (featuring Sapphire Star).” This is 100% born and bred country music. It begins with an almost lamenting outlaw quality before switching to an upbeat, slide-guitar-gilded head bopper. This is an excellent, energetic opener that one might hear at the top of any country-slinging Spotify playlist.
Gar returns later with “Chiseled in Stone” (also featuring Sapphire Star)” – a country, blues-leaning rocker that testifies to an understandable hardening after surviving the destructive hammering of unrequited love.
Next up, it’s Trevor Aaron Carlesi with “Western Spirit World.” This is a slower, rolling, tenacious track that longs for another world – one where true intentions matter, and honesty and honor remain absolutely integral in an imagined space ruled by the heart.
Trevor circles back with “Where’s My Daddy,” a chorus-backed heart-wrencher lamenting the singer’s very much missed father figure.
Willow Layne stakes two claims upon this digitally collected frontier: “My True Companion” and “Sweet Child of Mine” (both empowered and enabled by the talented folks at Countryside Studios). Penned from the heart by songwriter Lisa Benedetto, “My True Companion,” per our previous and greatly impressed review, effectively celebrates a compassionate and four-legged friend. “Sweet Child of Mine,” while bereft of an introductory, Slash-picked guitar riff, proclaims the infinitely deep love between a mother and child. And yep, they’re excellent additions with their breezy country sway and open, unsheltered heart.
If stone could sing, of its pain, its time on Earth, and of its hopes regardless of encroaching emotional erosion, it would sound EXACTLY like E.G. Holmes. Bongo Boy Records’ wise troubadour saves or breaks your heart with three entries: “Cool Changes (feat. Rick Ellis),” “Daisy,” and “I Remember Alice.” The first, a breezy, acoustic, and soft rocker with a great chorus; the second, an almost Neil Young-ish lament; and the third, an Elton John-ish reflection of one’s youth, and one’s particularly memorable romantic focus.
Monique Grimme arrives with “The Laughter Never Ends, George The Sheepadoodle ft. Sapphire Star Studios” and “Boomer and The Skylands Mountains.” The first, a stripped-down, beautifully sung, James Taylor-ish anthem taking place somewhere by the old windmill, or perhaps by a narrow stream shouldered by vine-collared trees. The second, a string-lifted, plucky affair filled with glorious and harmonizing female vocals. This one inspires, aspires, and dreams big in the clouds while planted firmly in the soil.
Shar arrives with “Thinkin‘ Bout Love ft. Dumi.” It’s personal, isolated, and introspective with blues-stretched guitar strings and a singular voice. But then, the beat arrives, accompanying vocals, and choral “oooooh-oooohs.” It’s timid, initially, but hits its stride, becomes bolder, and shares something truly empowering.
Bongo Boy Records label alumni Boys’N’Barry contribute “April’s Fool.” And it’s a casual, Sunday car ride strummer led by harmonizing voices and a playful awareness of being led astray (by love, of course).
Bringing up the rear but never left behind, it’s theTiki Cowboys with “Good Morning.” It’s a springy ditty with arbitrary wood block knocking and playful, airy chanting. It’s an attitude adjuster, a beat-driven, acoustically glinting nighttime train ride where the singer embraces gratitude, and holds hope with an easy grip. What a pleasant, catchy, healthy snack food of a track.
But is it good?
It’s country gold – a testament to music coming from uncluttered landscapes, wind-pressed wheat, and sparse, mostly red architecture existing only to work the land. It’s music connecting the human heart to nature, to skies clear and blue, and to neighbors separated by hundreds of acres, but treasured when gathered to sing. Bongo Boy Records’ Homestead Volume Eight is a MUST for fans of country and Americana, and a source of audible calm in green and quiet spaces. RECOMMENDED.
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BELOW: Listen to Bongo Boy Records’ Homestead Volume Eight and connect with Bongo Boy Records’ website and social media platforms. Please support Bongo Boy Records, and their artists, by visiting them online and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing their music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!
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