The Grifter's Hymnal

Some, anyway. Others are unrepentant barn-burners. With "The Grifter's Hymnal" (2012), Ray Wylie Hubbard released the first of 2 winners in a row. If Stones or Faces played outlaw country, it would sound like this.His follow-up "The Ruffian's Misfortune" (2015) contained more slow songs, but also had some terrific rockers. It was polished and slick compared to the rougher Hymnal, which is still his strongest effort - the best of its kind I've heard since John Hiatt issued "Slow Turning" in 1988. In fact, they are quite similar. Both the Hiatt and Hubbard records contain the aforementioned Stones sensibility and a penchant for confessional, sometimes humorous lyrics. Truly flawless alt-country masterpieces.Hubbard had been knocking around since the 60's, finally putting out his debut album in 1976. Years of personal struggles and record company travails ensued, a situation that turned around in 1989 after a conversation with Stevie Ray Vaughan. Vaughan spoke convincingly on the merits of sobriety, and his encouragement spurred Hubbard in a fruitive direction. It also helped bring about his spiritual awakening. That's when Ray transformed into the wise and consistently insightful songwriter we know today.This late-life renaissance has been a joy to behold, not unlike later-period Johnny Cash. "The Grifter's Hymnal" is a career apex. Every song is great, as is the case with "The Ruffian's Misfortune". I might add that both are nicely packaged, the first as a well-worn hymnal, the second with a fortune-teller motif. Don't miss them!

My first introduction to Ray Wylie Hubbard was his 2006 release, "Snake Farm". And while subsequent releases haven't been up to that standard, Grifter's Hymnal hits the bullseye.How do you classify this music? Is it Roots? Maybe. Country (hillbilly)? Yeah, kind of. Is it Blues? Yeah. But most of all it's just plain fun. Coming out of the speakers like a rock and roll revival, you'll be trying to sing along from the very first song!Hubbard's gifts of lyric, imagery and irony are right on cue from the start of the CD ( a coricidin bottle for a slide/ Are you kidding me?), and the rhythm and melody of each track will have you humming these tunes all day.There are some heavy themes (Red Badge of Courage, Ask God), but not nearly as many as in Hubbard's previous release, A: Enlightment B: Endarkment (Hint: There Is No C). This CD is an unapologetic, hard charging party, with consequences which are known and accepted.My favorite cuts on this CD include "New Year's Eve at The Gates of Hell", "Mother Blues" and "South Of The River". Pick up a copy of Grifter's Hymnal and if you like Blues or Roots or Country, you're sure to find some favorites of your own.

This artist is a new addition to my library of great classic music.I am finding it very hard to classify Ray Wylie. Country, not exactly, blues, not exactly. This good old boy from Texas tells it as it is, takes no crap and delivers a masterpiece in my opinion.His voice draws you in like quicksand. He has a voice that never becomes monotonous. When you listen you can tell the man has had his share of hardships and has endured. There is a no nonsense rough edge to his lyrics and voice.The man goes full throttle, cementing a permanent smile on to your face. Fast paced and definitely ironic, old memories revisited, humorous, experienced, profound, just a few words to describe his style.He looks like he just crawled out of a ditch, has just inhaled lightening and is spitting out wildfire. I love his stuff, rough edged and like heading out on the open road to experience life in all its glory. Very satisfying!For another great artist that was produced by Ray Wylie give a listen to Lincoln Durham's new album.  The Shovel vs. The Howling Bones

I often joke that I go to the church if Ray Wylie Hubbard at least once a week. Ray often speaks to the struggle between the Devil and God, good and evil, the greasy and the polished. This CD is no different. You're either a RWH fan or you are not. For those of you who like your music polished and over produced you won't like Ray. If your musical tastes can often be found on the shelf at WalMart or Best Buy then Ray is not for you. If you grew up without a silver spoon and worked your fingers to the bone to get ahead then Ray just may be the preacher you were looking for. Having grown up near the railroad tracks and an old train station the song "Train Station" is my favorite but in reality they're all good. See you in church!

RWH is a damn song writing genius and this album is excellent. However, I got the mp3 on Amazon music and a big drawback is that the best track "mother blues" has 4 minutes of the song missing from it.

I stumbled onto Ray Wylie Hubbard by accident on YouTube, and bought this CD on spec. Sometimes ya just get lucky. This is a great CD, and I enjoy it more every day. Every track is good. Red Badge of Courage is so simple and powerful, and Mother Blues is terrific. Those two cuts alone would make the CD a winner in my opinion, but they are all really good.This won't be the last Ray Wylie Hubbard CD in my collection.

This album is great in its entirety. Takes you along for a ride and whether its fast or slow, you enjoy every moment of it. I really enjoy albums that you can comfortably listen to in one sitting, and this one ends sooner than you want it to.

Not my favorite album of Ray Wylie Hubbard, has a couple really good songs, but some of the rest are a bit primitive, with sparse arangements

Ray Wylie Hubbard delivers gold once again. If you are already a fan, you will not be disappointed. Ray is a prolific song writer and just a real cool dude!

This man just writes great songs with a voice that's fits each one.

Einfachheit sei die höchste Stufe der Vollendung, soll Leo da Vinci mal gesagt haben. Demnach ist Ray Wylie Hubbard der Vollendung mit seinem Album The Grifter's Hymnal schon sehr nahe gekommen. Kein Ton, kein Akkord zu viel, der die Songs stören könnte, die von einer großartigen Mischung aus Blues, Folk, Rock und Country geprägt sind. Trockener Humor, Melancholie aber auch Energie prägen die Lieder, die den Hörer auf eine Reise quer durch die amerikanische Seele schicken.Meine Anspieltipps: New Year's Eve at the Gates of Hell, Count My Blessings, Mother Blues. Aber eigentlich sind alle Songs stark.

Dans la lignée et dans l'esprit des disques précédents. UN bon disque de country teinté de rock, de sudiste et bien sûr de country

新譜としては前作「Enlightenment B Endarkenment」以来2年ぶりの新作、相変わらずの南部ブルース＆カントリーなスワンプ。もうここまできたら絶品の一本調子とでも言いましょうか・・・いかにもRay Wylie HUbbardなディープ、南部ロックンロール。Rick Richardsの低重心ドラム、RWHのだみ声一本調子酒焼Vo、とことん乾いたスライドギターで生み出されるオンリーワンのテキサンスワンプ。また本作はどことなく60'Stones米南部志向的、Gimme Shelterがふと頭を過るような・・・まとわりつくカントリー＆ブルース感が渋い。魅惑のワンパターンスワンプ、ロックンロールサウンド。