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Spin Factor By: Reviews by Ron Wynn

Big Bob Young
Hard Way to Make a Dollar
(Builtonblues)

Big Bob Young musically operated right in the middle ground where country meets the blues, and his new CD perfectly mixes and matches the two.

Some of that’s due to the A-list lineup of players on this session, whose collective associations include Gary Allan (keyboardist/accordion player Michael Webb), Poco (drummer Rick Lonow), Burrito Deluxe (acoustic guitarist/mandolinist Carlton Moody) and Amazing Rhythm Aces (bassist Jeff “Stick” Davis).

But it’s Young’s tough, engaging vocals on such numbers as “Ship of Fools,” “Somewhere Tonight,” “Best of a Bad Situation” and “Stand Up” that reflect his diverse and distinguished (23 years of military service) background — one that gives his narratives and vocals an authenticity and stature that can’t be faked or acquired.

These aren’t trendy or disposable numbers, but slice-of-life portraits and musings from someone whose own experiences are every bit as compelling as those he sings about in Hard Way to Make a Dollar.

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Thursday, May 28, 2009
Review; Big Bob Young - Hard Way To Make A Dollar


Big Bob Young - Hard Way To Make A Dollar
2009, A Man Around The House Records

Big Bob Young is a blue collar songwriter who never became a professional musician until the age of 27. Now 53 with his children grown, Young is making time for his first love, music. On his way to today Young has been an airman, a soldier, a farrier, a student, a clown, a telegram singer, a father and husband, a jazzman and a country band leader, and the tough-nosed songwriter with the well-worn voice has a lot to say. Young's backing band includes Michael Webb (Gary Allan) on anything with keys, Rick Lonow (Poco) on drums, Carlton Moody (Burrito Deluxe) on acoustic guitar/mandolin and Colin Linden (Bruce Cockburn) on guitar, slide and Dobro. 2009 sees the release of Big Bob Young's debut album, Hard Way To Make A Dollar.

Hard Way To Make A Dollar is a working man’s album; there’s no pretense or glitz, just no-nonsense story telling and a delicious blend of Country, Blues and Rock N Roll. With a sound more akin to Austin, Texas than Tullahoma, Tennessee, it’s easy to see that Big Bob Young’s style could have broad appeal. Hard Way To Make A Dollar opens with Ship Of Fools, a smooth Blues/Country mix featuring strong guitar play and a highly memorable melody. Best Of A Bad Situation is built on a blend of Country, Blues and early Rock N Roll sounds that would feel right at home in any old-school honky-tonk. Somewhere Tonight is one of those songs that will resonate with a lot of people. It’s about the power of faith or prayer. Young tells a moral in song without making it an issue of one particular religion; yet displays how faith-in-action has the power to change lives.

Hard Way To Make A Dollar is a great honky-tonk style tune about a waitress working hard to make ends meet. The song has a gritty realism without losing the heart of the protagonist and is touching while asking no sympathy. Mississippi Nights is a classic could love/tragedy song that regrets the one who got away. Young even gets in a bit of Swamp Country on Green County Stomp. Perhaps the most intriguing tune on the CD is I Call It Love, which ends up sounding like classic Van Morrison. I Call It Love is profound and sweet without becoming syrupy or cliché; A ballad not so much about a person or particular instance but the many faces of love. The most entertaining song on the disc is Can I Take You Home; a bit of New Orleans seeps into this witty and intelligent come-on song. The album closes out with Stand Up, a gospel tune straight out of the old south.

Throughout Hard Way To Make A Dollar, Big Bob Young is a gruff-but-friendly story teller with an easy approach and an insightful eye. The songs presented here are rooted firmly in country music, but make free use of Rock, Blues and even Gospel as each song warrants. As a story-teller, Young is on a par with Springsteen. Musically, the selection here is dynamic enough to keep even the most jaded listener interested. Hard Way To Make A Dollar is a must-hear CD, a Wildy’s World Certified Desert Island Disc. Make sure you take a little time to check out Big Bob Young.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

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RODEO ATTITUDE/ John D. Lewis


BIG BOB YOUNG : HARD WAY TO MAKE A DOLLAR: (MY PICK OF THE WEEK)

About 18 months ago, I was privileged to receive a new album from an artist I had - to my shame - never heard of.

When I heard it, it sent shivers down my spine. It was proof that Country music does still exist and today I count the guy who wrote and recorded it, Homer Joy, as a close friend who I've actually known my entire life.

His album "Someday It'll Be Country" was the antidote to the pop trash Nashville is forced to push out by the accountants and lawyers who chase greenbacks from their high rise offices in Manhatten and LA

When I put "Hard Way To Make A Dollar" in the player - I got the same chills running down my spine. This is real Country music, and while Big Bob Young may not have written a huge worldwide hit (Joy wrote "Streets Of Bakersfield") he comes from the same line of true Country artists .... he's a guy who writes and sings from the heart about things you and I face every day!

The truth of that is on the album liner notes. Every song has a single paragraph to explain why it came about. BRILLIANT!

Best track on the album is undoubtedly "Bury Me In Dixie".

It has one ingredient which NO songwriter can fake: REAL EMOTIONS! And Young has the skill to sing it so you KNOW he feels it!

Young's father told him that "if" he died, he didn't want to be buried up north in Chicago where he'd moved to find work, but back in his native Arkansas. He said: "Take me south where I can hear the Mockingbirds".

And that's the basis of the song. I can tell you that this tough-looking cowboy with a voice made of gravel and rock and roll rhythm pulsing in his veins has a heart and he misses his Daddy, big time! BOB, I know that feeling, and this one made me cry!!

One of the finest songs on the album has to be "Somewhere Tonight" - a song about men who spwend hours and days worrying about whether their girl's all right.

I can't pretend to have been there, my child is a lovely little boy. BUT Big Bob Young DOES - he has two daughters: his lyrics make his feelings plain, his vocals make the emotion plain. Simply a superb song!

As a lyric writer, Young has few peers. "I Call It Love" is close to free verse - a series of thoughts and definitions put to music. The simple arrangement allows Young to show his vocal skills.

Way back when I was a young reporter, there was a local band called the East Side Torpedoes. They were brilliant and this song reminds me of them at their very best. Wonder where they are now.

"Green Country Stomp" is - I fear - mis-titled on the album. For the lyrics are about the "Green County Stomp" a kind of dance they do in the south of Mississippi. The dance is a bug dance in Tennessee, a clog dance in Carolina, and the song is perfect for doing just that!!

Young shows he can turn an old style Western swing song too. "Can I Take You Home" is a thought that millions of men think many times in their lives, but few ever have the nerve to say!

"Best Of a Bad Situation" is a late-home-broken-marriage song whose lyrics read like a tragedy but whose music pumps along like an express train whole "Mississippi Nights" is a wonderfully slow love song that meanders powerfully - just like the river.

That annoying little gizmo that pops up when you play an album and tries to name the tracks automatically insists that the opening track on the album is called "Ship Of Tools". That SHOULD be "Fools", of course.

This is a bluesy feel with that organ swirling around behind Bob's big bold vocals.

"Hard Way To Make a Dollar" is the album's lead off single, about a waitress called Marie from Heber Springs, Arkansas. When Young saw her struggling to cope with rowdy customers just to make a few dollars, he went all gooey inside and wrote a fine song to tell the tale.

Throughout the album there's a sense of something special to come. Musically, "Stand Up" - the closing song - is far from the best track on the album, but it's the one song here that Young uses to say where he stands on "such matters".

For "such matters" read religion, and it comes as no surprise at all to find out his views!

A superb album which lovers of real Country music MUST buy!!!

Footnote:
I was delighted to discover that the guy pumping bass across the album is one Jeff "Stick" Davis. Now, I DIDN'T KNOW this but Stick is a long time friend of Bob's. He was also part of the Amazing Rhythm Aces. And that's a band I'd totally forgotten about, that I recall loving and have decided I must hunt out again.

FATEA MAGAZINE/ Helen Mitchell


I'll have to admit that knowing nothing about this artist I had no idea what to expect; compounded by initial confusion at a male name with a female image on the cover! However, Big Bob Young is indeed a new male artist who hails from TULLAHOMA, Tennessee. Real name Robert L Young, age 53) He has had a life that be the basis of a song - A married father and high school dropout at 17, he has been an airman, soldier, mechanic, collegian, jazzman, country bandleader, farrier, telegram singer and clown. He has twice married and divorced and lost a wife to cancer. Young served his country for 23 years in the Air Force and Army National Guard, including a 13-month stint (April '03-May '04) in Iraq for which he was awarded a Bronze Star and an Army Commendation Medal. I guess he found his way to music via a somewhat unusual path, though you can tell as he sings that he has seen a lot of life. Hard Way to Make a Dollar is his debut CD on which he began work in 2008 upon retiring from the military. He contacted a longtime friend - Grammy Award winning bassist Jeff "Stick" Davis (Amazing Rhythm Aces/Burrito Deluxe)and together they tracked down other talented musicians for the project, including: Michael Webb (Gary Allan/Allison Moorer) on piano, organ and accordion; Rick Lonow (Poco/Burrito Deluxe) on drums; Carlton Moody (Burrito Deluxe/Moody Brothers) on acoustic guitar and mandolin, and bluesman Colin Linden (Bruce Cockburn/The Band) on electric guitar, slide guitar and Dobro. The album was recorded and mixed in Nashville, with Davis, Webb and Moody also taking on roles in production. It is clear from the opening track that Big Bob's vocals and the musicianship of these talented men was a match that would be hard to rival.

Presented in the increasingly popular digipak format, the CD includes a booklet with all of the song lyrics - a sure fire way to curry my favour - but then, even more impressively, under each song title, is a statement as to the song's origins. There is always something special in hearing a song and knowing from where it is derived.

Immediately obvious from first playing the CD is the face that this is a man who writes and sings real traditional style country music; the kind we don't hear a lot of these days. The song's title track, Hard Way to Make a Dollar, was inspired by a waitress named Marie in a town called Heber Springs, Arkansas, who he tells us in his notes, 'gave as good as she got' From rowdy customers.

Young's father told him that if he died, he wanted to be buried not in Chicago where he had been working but back in his native Arkansas; "Take me south where I can hear the Mockingbirds". This remark inspired the beautiful song Bury me in Dixie, an old style country song with piano and without a doubt the most moving on the album.

Mississippi Nights brings the pace down with a slow moving song with Southern undertones whilst I Call it Love is the closest we get to a ballad. Ship of Fools is a stunning song, with a country blues sound, using slide guitar and dobro to good effect.

Another fine addition to the album is Somewhere Tonight- inspired by his worry for his four children - two of whom were daughters. He states that whilst the events in the song never happened he often wondered what if they had? The song is basically about how in such situations prayer is often the only thing there is.

Other impressive songs include Green Country Stomp, Can I take you Home and Best of a bad Situation. Prevalent throughout the whole album are the stand out, gravelly vocals of Bob, which bring to mind several old timers, or current singers such as Tom Russell, and in all of these instances the gravelly sound adds an extra dimension to the vocals.

In short, it may have taken Big Bob Young a while to find his way to music and to creating this debut album but I am confident that once you have heard it you will be glad he did. Having looked on his MySpace page and found tracks such as The Letter, Mr Moon and If We'd Had Paris I am confident that his next album will be equally as good!

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LONESOME HIGHWAY/ Steve Rapid

I expected this to be something like Dallas Wayne, a fairly robust
honky-tonk outing, but in truth it's more akin to something more
rootsy with some soulful organ led playing that utilizes Burrito
Deluxe as the main backing band, along with players like Colin Linden
on electric and slide guitar. It is produced by three members of
that band - Jeff "Stick" Davis, Michael Webb and Carlton Moody.
Young has been many things over his life and has honed his songs
from those experiences. The end result is direct, honest and
up front. The sound is a bluesy mix of road-house rock with country
overtones that suits Young's age roughened and weathered voice,
perhaps not a perfect instrument, but one most suited to singing these
songs, and with more than a degree of realism. Trumpet and saxophone
augment on occasion but it is the keyboard and guitar interplay that
is the main currency on the majority of tracks. Big Bob Young is not
making a big breakthrough that's not the intention, rather a hardworking
bed rock integrity is at the heart of these songs. The closing
song a up-tempo gospel inspired song closes the album on a high
note, in more that one sense. This is the kind of album that tends
to get little attention in the media but is more worthy that some
more acclaimed major label releases.

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Press and Industry Quotes Martha Moore
BIG BOB YOUNG Quotes ...

“When you move beyond the atmosphere of the CD cover to the music itself you find a troubadour singing about a lifetime of lessons learned, experiences seen, and hopes for the future that surpass many of the talents of those appearing in huge coliseums.”
-Randall Franks /SOUTHERN STYLE

“But it’s Young’s tough, engaging vocals on such numbers as “Ship of Fools,” “Somewhere Tonight,” “Best of a Bad Situation” and “Stand Up” that reflect his diverse and distinguished (23 years of military service) background — one that gives his narratives and vocals an authenticity and stature that can’t be faked or acquired. These aren’t trendy or disposable numbers, but slice-of-life portraits and musings from someone whose own experiences are every bit as compelling as those he sings about in Hard Way to Make a Dollar.”- Ron Wynn, NASHVILLE CITY PAPER

“A smashing country album taken from blue collar lived in life and sung with conviction and passion in proof that real country music is still with us if we look, learn and listen from the heart and not the chart.” –Brian Ahern, COUNTRY ROUTES (U.K.)
“Falling under the 'big tent' side of the Country music equation comes Big Bob Young and his blues-laced debut album Hard Way To Make A Dollar "Ship Of Fools" has a deep blues-rock undercurrent to it that's actually not far from what has helped make Jimmy Buffet a long-time favorite (when he's not singing party songs). Vocally Big Bob Young also resembles Buffett's weary, aged voice. is a fine album that showcases the kind of great talent that comes in all shapes, sizes and ages in our great country.” -Matt Bjorke, ROUGHSTOCK
“Somewhere Tonight---Another great story song singer who communicates clearly and tunefully. “ Roger Hill, IN TOUCH MAGAZINE

“”The mood (of the CD) covers country, blues and blue-eyed soul. The latter underrated genre is perhaps Bob’s strongest with some similarities to Russell Smith especially on “ I Call It Love.” He should be very content with the making of a first rate album which will sound as good in ten years as it does today. Well done.” Keith Glass, CAPITAL NEWS (Australia)

“A CD that's certainly different from the current mass productions and that reminds me of some Texan songwriters: Straight forward, honest and sometimes inconvenient. Let's hope that Young gets his well deserved attention. His fan base is certainly growing with this album.”
- Bruno Michel, AMERICAN-COUNTRY (Switzerland)

“Big Bob has an expressive, passionate vocal style that grabs you and makes you want to listen deeply to what he is singing about. The main thrust of the music is blues driven; and there’s some pretty powerful stuff in the package.”
- Larry Delaney, COUNTRY MUSIC NEWS (Canada)

“This is a record that offers a wide spectra of styles and appeals to most people who want some ‘go’ in the music. The music this 53 old guy produce can be described as Americana with blues/rock influences. A comparison that comes to my mind is Delbert McClinton. When it swings as most, as in the title track, you at once come to think of The Tractors and their often hard driving music. Big Bob Young is a man you must not miss.”
-Olov Lindgren, KOUNTRY KORRAL (Sweden)

“Hard Way To Make A Dollar is a 10-track joyous debut of fulfilled ambition. It’s where determination and talent meet at the fork. Produced by Jeff ”Stick” Davis, Carlton Moody and Michael Webb – all respected for their many and varied musical indulgences – the album with Young’s self-penned offering is, well, simply, a keeper. There’s the voice. It’s lived-in. There’s a soft growl. There’s a biting grit. There is a melody, a vocal richness, something not taught at music school, rather lived out in the streets. The bars, and lived out in situations and circumstances of the examined life.” – George Peden, COUNTRY STARS ONLINE

“Hard Way To Make A Dollar (the single) blew the cobwebs away for sure.”
- Kjell Horlin, MCWC Radio (Sweden)

“Hard Way To Make A Dollar (the single) is packed with more energy than a battery.”
– Gerd Stassen, EVW Radio (Germany)

“Prevalent throughout the whole album are the stand out, gravelly vocals of Bob, which bring to mind several old timers, or current singers such as Tom Russell, and in all of these instances the gravelly sound adds an extra dimension to the vocals… I am confident that once you have heard it you will be glad he did. “- Helen Mitchell, FATEA MAGAZINE ( U.K.) “
“Mixing Americana with solid country and a touch of blues, Big Bob could well become something of a cult figure.” – David Allan, COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE (U.K.)

“Hard Way to Make a Dollar”, has ten superbly crafted songs, beautifully performed and leaving me a little perplexed. Can this really be a debut album when in reality it seems to be the work of a well-seasoned star? This is an album no self respecting country fan will want to be without.”
- Pete Smith, THE ADVERTISER (U.K)
“The density of the complete work is an impressive piece of Americana.”
- Max Achatz, COUNTRY JUKEBOX (Germany)

“In fact songs of Big Bob are intense and rich of passion, not only the love to the center
of its thematic one, but life every day, that one of common people that it faces, with difficulty, every sacrifice; and the cure and the attention for the spirit and for spirit, the memories, also those ugly, those that have it carried in turn for the world, in the war zones.”
- Davide Frascella, TARANT OGGI ( Italy)

“This is a very melodic record that is difficult not to take to your heart, with everything from stompy country to jazz and soul. Totally I liked the record and Big Bob Young should certainly be bigger in Nashville.” Hans Bloom, DALADEMOKRATEN (Sweden)
“The sound is a bluesy mix of road-house rock with country overtones that suits Young's age roughened and weathered voice... a hard working bed rock integrity is at the heart of his songs. This is the kind of album that tends to get little attention in the media but is more worthy that some more acclaimed major label releases.” Steve Rapid, LONESOME HIGHWAY

“Mixing Americana with solid country and a touch of blues, Big Bob could well become something of a cult figure.” – David Allan, COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE (U.K.)

“This is working man’s music – a bit of everything- blues, country & rock’n’roll. A refreshing blast in today’s manufactured music world.”
–Stewart Fenwick, COUNTRY MUSIC & DANCE (Scotland/Ireland)

“Blues and soul are the master words from the first notes of the album…. Big Bob Young offers a pure and sincere voice.” – Jean Agostini, HIGHWAY FM (France)

“Here's an engaging parade of country ditties performed by a master of the rural genre. Earthy, innovative and progressive, his talent excels with unquestionable quality that the common man will appreciate.” – British Author Paul Davis

“I love Big Bob’s CD. You can feel the pedigree of Stick and Carlton's influence, not to mention Big Bob's wonderful southern country soul voice.” Eddie White,2RRR FM ( Sydney, Australia)

“ The guitars roar rock’n’ roll, the vocals are gruff and ‘Hard Way To Make A Dollar rips along at way beyond 100bpm.” – John Lewis, RODEO ATTITUDE

“Hard Way To Make A Dollar stands out as a true piece of Americana with an every-man feel. Big Bob writes songs about real life with his distinctive bit of wit attached.
– Stick Davis, producer & musician (Amazing Rhythm Aces, Burrito Deluxe)

“Big Bob's ability to write songs with such great melodies made this project so much fun to work on. Good tunes are hard to find these days, and Bob's soulful delivery makes them unforgettable.”-Carlton Moody, producer & musician (Burrito Deluxe, Moody Brothers)

"Big Bob’s songs are heartfelt and honest, covering so many different styles that you can't help but be entertained by this album."
- Michael Webb, producer & musician (Allison Moorer, Chris Knight)

“Big Bob Young’s songs are not hip, artsy or ironic. His meat-and-potatoes American roots music comes from the heart, is delivered with confidence and soul, and will stick with you long after the so-called “next big thing” has faded from memory.”
- Jeff Walter, songwriter/ publisher (Jack and Jenny Music)

“Green County Stomp” is a quirky fun track which is already finding favor with DJs across the world. Country music needs characters like Big Bob!
-Stuart Cameron, Radio Borders / UP COUNTRY MAGAZINE( U.K.)