Hailing from South Texas, Charley Crockett’s new album, Lonesome Drifter, is a staunch love letter to country and western music. Don’t let the label of “country” scare you away from diving into this album as Crockett strips the genre all the way down to its core.
Lonesome Drifter calls back to the start of Crockett’s career, where he hopped trains in search of an audience, a stark contrast to now as he has played the Grand Ole Opry Stage in Nashville, Tennessee. He tells it as it is. His musical influence reflects his life’s story. His singing and lyrical style is reminiscent of Kris Kristofferson’s soothing vocals, while the instrumentals pull from all across the map. From playing western bars in Dallas, to jazz and blues in New Orleans, to even R&B in the New York City subway, this album is a musical passport recounting his life.
His songs also speak to the human experience that has been told for decades through country music legends. In the song “One Trick Pony,” Crockett sings that “life is but a rodeo.” He knows more than most about being bucked off by life just to get up for the next ride.
Like a lot of classic country music, this album speaks to the political landscape of the nation. Crockett highlights what life is like for the underdogs in America right now. Notably singing, “everybody’s workin’ in them cotton fields / just a little bit different than it used to feel,” in the title track, Crockett points out the working conditions many Americans are forced to work under.
Those familiar with traditional country music will recognize the work of musicians like Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson who used their platforms to advocate for many underrepresented groups. In the modern era of country music, Charley Crockett is carrying on this mantle, using his voice to advocate for change like his predecessors. He’s seen the seedy underbelly of America while traveling and is shining his spotlight on it.
He ends the album by covering “Amarillo by Morning” by George Strait, which is a staple in country music. This perfectly encapsulates the ideas Crockett forms throughout the twelve tracks. Stay true to your roots, grow them strong, and soon enough you can support those who haven’t found their strength yet.
