Croxton Records

THE GOURDS

"Music for the unwashed and well read."

That's the unofficial motto of The Gourds, a hard-to-pigeonhole band from Austin, Texas, that draws from almost every vein of America's rich musical history to compile a uniquely appealing sound set to offbeat and occasionally literary lyrics.

Covering bluegrass, country and roots folk but delivered with funk and power, many of the band's rock-style 'hooks' actually come from mandolinist Kevin Russell who says his plucking attack was influenced by Chuck Berry riffs. The Gourds' own harmony-laced material recalls that of the Band, yet they're best known for their raucous bluegrass-country-zydeco version of rap star Snoop Doggy Dogg's raunchy ghetto anthem 'Gin and Juice'.

Their 5th full-length release, 'Bolsa de Agua' is catchy, provocative and often silly, with the occasional literary flourish. This enhanced CD features, among other things, a video for the song 'El Paso'. This opening track is a good example of the band's range. With the legendary Jon Dee Graham sitting in on lap steel guitar, it rolls across the Texas plain in a rapid but almost soporific fashion.

The new album also marks the arrival of the acclaimed banjo-fiddle-mandolin maestro Max Johnston, who left country-rock powerhouse Wilco as it veered into mainstream pop. In addition to the endorsement conveyed by his presence and the richness added by his string work, Mr. Johnston contributed two of the better songs on Bolsa, including the gospel bluegrass beauty, 'Jesus Christ, With Signs Following'.

"We are organic, we come from the vine," offers Gourds founder Kevin Russell. "In a time when most music is generated either partially or completely by computer programs, I think a lot of us want to hear something that is human, soulful, faulty and full of life. "

"Austin's best band"
Texas Music Magazine, October 2000

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BOLSA DE AGUA
Album 2000 (croxt006)

Purchase BOLSA DE AGUA
online now

Track Listing:
1. El Paso
2. Jesus Christ With Signs Following
3. Big Santiago Bust
4. Receipts & Fevers
5. Pickles
6. O Rings
7. Bugs
8. Waterbag
9. Hallelujah Shine
10. Layin Around The House
11. Meat Off The Bone
12. Flamenco Cabaret
13. Turn My Head Around
14. Tearbox
15. High Highs & Low Lows

ALL THE LABOUR
Album 2000 (croxt002)

ALL THE LABOUR is currently out of print

Track Listing:
1. Clear Night
2. Caledonia
3. Dying Of The Pines
4. Money Honey
5. All The Labour
6. Low Is The Way
7. Plaid Coat
8. Magnolia
9. LGO
10. Maria
11. Raining In Port Arthur
12. Gin & Juice
13. Ghosts Of Hallelujah
14. Gangster Lean
15. Ladies Choice
16. Fine Leather Truck
17. Flat Baritone