THE PRESS RELEASE: “Caleb Caudle wanted an earthy, funky sound for his new album. He assembled several Grammy-winning musicians to chase it down in the Cash Cabin, a small place with a big history. “It feels like you’re in the shadow of giants,” Caudle says. He emerged from the shadows with Better Hurry Up, his eighth studio album. Its 11 songs showcase Caudle’s vivid lyrics and foreboding vocals, as well as the work of an A-list cast of musicians. John Jackson of The Jayhawks produced, and guest vocalists include Courtney Marie Andrews, Elizabeth Cook, Gary Louris, and John Paul White. Musicians on Better Hurry Up includes Mickey Raphael on harmonica (Willie Nelson), Dennis Crouch on bass (Elton John, Leon Russell), Fred Eltringham on drums (Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow), Russ Pahl on pedal steel (Kacey Musgraves, Dan Auerbach), Laur Joamets on guitar (Sturgill Simpson, Drivin’ N Cryin’), and, on keyboards, Pat Sansone (Wilco) and Rhett Huffman (American Aquarium).”
MY TWO CENTS: A great band can make almost anybody sound good. And singer-songwriter Caleb Caudle certainly has an A-list crew backing him on his mellow and personable eighth album Better Hurry Up. But he also has something far more important: A slate of earnest and intimate tracks, along with the experience and skill to deliver them with casual confidence. Set against the laid-back southern soul, gently swampy grooves, twangy country and smoky roots-rock of his crack combo, they make Better Hurry Up a disc you want to settle down and spend some quality time with.
