(November 2007) The latest installment from the group formally known as the “Sidehill Gougers,” is likely the best Americana record of 2007. At least in this music journalist's view of the Americana music world, it gets my vote. The Gougers have always been good, but this record is fantastic. It is a leap forward for a cool band that can deliver pleasure to the ears and mind.

A Long Day for the Weathervane was recorded in late 2006 in Austin under the production direction of master musician and songwriter Keith Gattis. The Gougers style is nothing like the great country and blues tunes Gattis is known for, but the production value of Weathervane makes it obvious that Keith is far more than a songwriter and guitarist. He is a producer that can get the most out of any musicians in the studio. The production of the CD is in a word … superb.

Notable tracks on the CD are “ Manheim Station,” “Everybody Knows,” “Oldcrow/Scarecrow,” “Sleeping Pills,” and “It’ll Get Better.” However, all eleven tracks are worth a listen and are great in their own right. There is not a bad song on the CD.

The Gougers songwriting is a team duo of the group’s two front people. Jamie Wilson and Shane Walker are the dynamic duo that together as a team and as solo writers make up the lyrical poetry that becomes Gouger songs. Wilson has a voice that is as beautiful as a spring day in hill country Texas. She can sing her way into the deepest part of a listener’s soul. Although both Wilson and Walker write songs that tend to lean to the dark side of the human experience, Walker tends to be a bit darker and his melodies have a specific groove to them. His voice is a contrast to Wilson’s when they harmonize, but they differences blend in a natural way like milk does to coffee. The contrast come out and blend perfectly in almost every song on the CD.

The remaining members of the four person band are Cody Foote on bass and John Ross Silva on drums. Silva is known for his engineering of Grammy award winning records for the Dixie Chicks and for other major production and engineering credits. Foote is the son of a former Houston Oliers football player. Together the Foote and Silva team add the rhythms to the Wilson and Walker songwriting and harmony team.

The Gougers are without a doubt one of the most talented Americana bands in years. A Long Day for the Weathervane is already in the top 40 of the Americana Music Chart which is sponsored by the Americana Music Association, and The Gougers have been invited to play a sanctioned showcase at the Americana Music Association’s annual convention in Nashville.

The CD is a great gift from a great band. A must have.

You can contact our TMT writers from our contact page.