by John Morthland
Top Music Events--Late June
Legends of Western Swing Festival
Jody Nix, Johnny Lee Wills, Hank Thompson and Leon Rausch are among the featured acts at the Scurry County Coliseum in Snyder June 26-29.Willie's Picnic
Willie Nelson's 4th of July bash in Luckenbach-with Waylon, Robert Earl Keen and the usual many more--is now a benefit for farmers hurt more than the rest of us by the drought.Jimmie Dale Gilmore: Braver Newer World (Elektra)
The title's no joke. East (as in India) meets West (as in the Texas plains) on the Austin singer-songwriter's most rocking, rousing music ever. This is destined for a lot of year-end Top Ten lists.The Reverend Horton Heat: It's Martini Time (Interscope)
The Rev isn't always as funny as he thinks; in fact, he can be downright obnoxious (they don't call it "psychobilly" for nothing). But the Dallas miscreant transcends the usual xeroxed rockabilly to create a savvy fusion of roots and contemporary.Kris McKay: Things That Show (Shanachie)
This Austin singer has a beautiful late-night voice, which she uses with both technical finesse and emotional generosity. But she'd be even better if her band matched her in the latter as well as it does in the former.Don McCalister, Jr.: Love Gone Right (Biscuit Boy)
The Austinite's sharp brand of western swing is more jazz than country, and he makes it sound easy. This is dance music, sure, but songs like "The Stars Spell Dixie" are also for kicking back and taking it easy.Quindon (Virgin)
Thirteen-year-old Quindon Tarver of Plano is burning up black charts, and no wonder. His textured, snakey vocals sound worldly beyond his years even when he's singing the most mundane teen fare.Cedar Walton: Composer (Astor Place)
As the title confirms, this Dallas native is known for his jazz compositions, and he has a batch of fresh ones here. But his extended, neobop piano lines are equally irrepressible, and he shapes this young band up in no time.Eve Ybarra y Su Conjunto: Romance Inolvidable (Rounder)
One of the conjunto's great experimenters and improvisers turns in her most daring album yet. Ybarra remains firmly rooted in South Texas accordion traditions even as she shades them with banda, ballads, jazz and country.George Gimarc and Pat Reeder: Hollywood Hi-Fi (St. Martins Griffin)
Two metroplex rock effluviasts roast more than 100 records by celebs (Rex Reed, Joan Rivers, etc.) who should've had the common decency not to even enter a recording studio. A companion CD features Joe Pesci belting the Beatles' "Got to Get You Into My Life," Racquel Welch declaring "I'm Ready to Groove," and worse.
