OK, the metaphor appropriate here is the PGA Senior's Tour: a bunch of seasoned pros, associated with the greats of their generation, get together to demonstrate their still appreciable talent and all that's missing is the power and pizazz of youth that would enable them to compete in the open market.
Bill Wence played professionally with Bobby Bare and Tom T Hall, amongst others, for many years before taking up a career in music promotion that continues to this day. He's written his share of country hits, too, and that shows in the neat self-penned songs that make up the majority of the tracks. Maybe it was a case of "Anything Chip Taylor can do...".
The music hovers around the country area, with touches of rockabilly and gospel, but the commercial nous is always there: these are hummable songs, nothing experimental or deep, and there's a light wash of that uniquely American sentimentality over the whole thing.
The band of old pals are really good, still playing with a sense of fun after all these years. Everybody knows their job and contributes to the whole without hogging the limelight, and that includes Bill Wence himself on keyboards. I have to say, though, I particularly enjoyed listening to Byrd Burton on guitar and Doyle Grisham on steel, masters both.
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Sadly, Bill's singing voice isn't really up to carrying the album; it's forced tone might remind you of Mike Nesmith or maybe Steve Forbert at best, but really it's just not that strong. In compensation, there's generous use of backing vocals with the Jordanaires bringing their distinctive sound to two songs, and the Sisters Morales, amongst others, brightening the picture on other tracks. Overall, pretty solid country pop for ageing country pop fans.
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