Harris & Ryden - Run (2002)

The music of Stephen Harris & Chris Ryden draws a melodic line nearly the length of the Great Divide, from the craggy peaks of the Grand Tetons to the rolling, green Texas Hill Country. Lots of miles and lots of stories and lots of territory...And all of it is encapsulated on RUN (Two Mule Records), the aptly-titled second album from the increasingly popular duo.

Although they attended the same high school in San Antonio, Stephen's and Chris' paths did not cross until after they made parallel sojourns to cowboy on ranches up in the wilds of northwestern Wyoming. A tangled skein of circumstance (or fate, if you believe in that sort of thing) brought the two together on a rambling roadtrip to Texas. Discovering a shared love of music-and a newly-minted affection for Austin-the two embarked on a musical partnership which has seen a wildly diverse range of shows- from sharing the stage with Lyle Lovett to performing at the ambassador's party at the U.S. embassy in the Dominican Republic. And, oh yeah, an awful lot of beer joints, too.

RUN was produced by Merel Bregante, whose landmark work with Loggins & Messina gave him a few platinum-selling insights about coaxing the best from a duo of talented songwriters and musicians. And the band H&R has assembled makes good use of some of Austin's most talented young pickers.

The bakers-dozen songs on RUN (including the inaugural single, "This Hard Town") flow naturally between Western-flavored rockers, ballads and story songs that evoke classic high-lonesome images. Though Ryden cites influences from Mark Knopfler and Springsteen to Marty Robbins, and Harris' loyalties hew close to classic Texas storytellers like Guy Clark and Ray Wylie Hubbard, their collaborative work owes unclassifiable and original debts to folk, rock, country, and the fertile regional gumbo that is "Texas music."

The caliber of musicians is notable, including track contributions from Matt Slusher (South Austin Jug Band), Brian Run (an accomplished songwriter in his own right), not to mention Blake Lindley (drums, percussion), Justin Farrow (fiddle, piano) and Joel Canfield (upright and electric bass). There is no doubt that Harris & Ryden are a talented pair, but the backing on this record is sharp and diverse, and reveals a distinct maturation from their debut Here to Jackson. The instrumentation is expanded and includes unexpected doses of the accordion, dobro, and piano. Songs vary from genre to genre, making it difficult to pigeonhole the album into a single music category. From traditional to "younger" country, from rock to alt-country, Harris & Ryden draw from a fan base that reaches further than a single radio station's programming. Whatever your musical taste, Run offers something that hit the spot for everyone. And I personally hope that the fates continue to bring Harris & Ryden further success. I suggest that you "run", don't walk, to get this new release from the rising Texas talents Harris & Ryden.

Track List:

01 - This Hard Town
02 - Southern Plains
03 - Lazy Afternoon
04 - Beggar's Dimes
05 - Cold Wyoming Snow
06 - The Eyes Of A Friend
07 - Strange New Love
08 - Mogollon
09 - Annie Belle
10 - Run
11 - Careless
12 - Shiny Cars

Quality: Average VBR 229 Kbps 44100 Stereo
Size: 97.14Mb
Genre: Folk | Roots Rock | Country | Alt-Country | Songwriter

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Harris & Ryden - Here To Jackson (2000)

Stephen Harris felt his musical roots sprout while he was attending SMU in Dallas. Brandishing a guitar he had "stolen" from his brother, he would sometimes play for late night audiences at his fraternity house. Drawing musical influence from several pf Texas' finest, including Guy Clark, Chris Wall, and Ray Wylie Hubbard, Harris nourished a growing desire to write and perform in a larger capacity.

(Meanwhile, in a parallel universe…) Chris Ryden had been honing his talents as a songwriter for years. Ryden moved to Waco to attend Baylor University, where he continued to refine his musical style, influenced by an array of artists, from Bruce Springsteen to Steve Earle.

(Enter fates) After graduating college, both Harris and Ryden's paths would lead them to separate ranching outfits in the snow painted lands of the Rocky Mountains, where they spent three common years but had not met. (until…) It was there, in the vast lands of Wyoming that a chance phone call let to the discovery that Ryden's roommate and Harris had at one time worked on the same ranch. The two fresh acquaintances embarked on a roadtrip journey back to Texas, and after discovering their common musical interests, the rest they say is…well, you know. Enough with the clichés already.

The fall of 1999 marked the beginning of a different journey for Stephen Harris and Chris Ryden. Then a brand new duo, Harris & Ryden conceptualized and released their debut album, Here To Jackson, and established themselves as a formidable rising talents in the Texas Music circuit. Here to Jackson highlighted Harris & Ryden's growing abilities as songwriters. The album is flush with an honest and descriptive quality, as the songs paint pictures saturated in strong harmonies and storytellin' lyrics. Since Here To Jackson's release, the duo has more than confirmed their abilities to many an audience, sharing stages with Willie Nelson, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Charlie Robison, Jack Ingram, Pat Green and other top drawing performers. Harris and Ryden were recognized at the 2002 Austin Music Awards, winning the Best Folk Band category, and playing in a stunning 5 additional categories, including Best Single, Best Country Band, best Roots Rock Band, Album of the Year and best Band Website.

Track List:

01 - Texas Bound Again
02 - Wild Horses On The Ceiling
03 - Something To Smile About
04 - Peace Of The Gypsy
05 - El Soldado Viejo
06 - The Last Wyoming Cowboy
07 - The Real Ones
08 - Paycheck To Paycheck
09 - Girl From San Antonio
10 - Where The Outlaws Go
11 - For The Boys
12 - High On The Teton Range

Quality: Average VBR 231 Kbps 44100 Stereo
Size: 83.86Mb (includes front cover)
Genre: Folk | Roots Rock | Country | Alt-Country | Songwriter

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