Album Review: Charlie Daniels’ ‘Night Hawk’
Charlie Daniels has always managed to make his music, his way, and do it well.
It doesn’t take a nuclear physicist to surmise that Charlie Daniels has always had a love and an appreciation for the life of the American Cowboy and the Old West. His new album is a (very) respectful acknowledgement of this fact, as he goes back and picks out a few of the songs that best exemplify the cowboy life.
He starts off the disc in fine form with a joyous and sprightly version of the Bob Wills classic “Big Balls In Cowtown,” where he shows just how much Western Swing has always been a part of his wheelhouse. (If you need further proof of this, check out his 1988 hit “Boogie Woogie Fiddle Country Blues.” It incorporates more styles than just swing, but it’s definitely a part of the recipe).
Other highlights on this collection include a raucous cut on “Stay A Little Longer,” where Daniels sounds like he is having the time of his life. And, why shouldn’t he? He’s about to enter the Country Music Hall of Fame, maintains a touring and recording schedule that outshines artists who are almost a quarter of his age, and has always managed to make his music, his way, and do it well.
The album flows on with such fare as “Billy The Kid,” a nod to Johnny Cash on a cover of “Ghost Riders In The Sky,” and a delightful run through “The Old Chisholm Trail” that just might bring to mind some of the great Walt Disney “Songs of the West” albums. (Ok, so I might be dating myself there!)
At the end of the day, Daniels isn’t trying to re-invent the musical well here – as he did on his brilliant Bob Dylan tribute record, Off The Grid, a couple of years back. He’s simply basking in the glow of the moment, and it shows on this very fun musical outing!
Night Hawk is available for purchase HERE.
