Your weekly delve into the Country music scene, with Brian Clough

I’VE always maintained that country music crosses the boundaries of many genres and if a band were ever to personify that, then it would have to be The Kentucky Headhunters.

Taking in an infusion of country, blues, honky tonk, folk, heavy metal, southern rock and stomp along with cover versions of songs, they made their own indelible mark on the world of music in the late nineteen eighties. Stateside Billboard magazine once described them as “the great American rock and roll band” who bring a party atmosphere to their music often with a warm sense of humour attached.

They are one of those bands who build a sense of fun and happiness into many of their songs with an infectious feel with their love of music showing through.

Much of this feel can be experienced with a double CD release due out next month on October 12th entitled ‘Kentucky Headhunters - Dixie Fried (The Best Of The Mercury Years) available on the Humphead record label (Cat No HUMP219) From the opening “Walk Softly On This Heart Of Mine” through “Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line “ and on to the closing ‘With Body And Soul”, the listener is treated to a stomping (often irreverent) ride through some great musicianship and songs performed in their own innimitable style.

The only disappointment for me me was the non inclusion of one of their best offerings in “Singing The Blues” originally made famous by Marty Robbins and here in the UK by Tommy Steele that to my mind is sheer stomping class.

Treat yourself to a breath of fresh country air with a party atmosphere which last through thirty five tracks.