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Growing up in Jackson, Mississippi, the four members
of Barranco, Barrett, & Crocker (there are
two Barrancos in the band) variously formed seminal
southern rock bands The Cracker Jacks, Mississippi
Rain, and Sassy Jones, and worked as session
musicians at famed Malaco Records.
Individually, they hit their professional strides in
New York (Johnny Barranco), L.A. (Vince Barranco),
and Nashville (Don Barrett and Johnny Crocker).
Their collective credits (as songwriters, session
musicians, backing singers, and band members) could
fill a phone book: ZZ Hill, Bobby Blue Bland,
Ricky Skaggs, Bonnie
Bramlett, Johnnie Taylor, Nigel Olson,
Elton John, Eddie Floyd,
Eddie Rabbitt, Paul
Davis, Keb Mo, King
Floyd, Dorothy Moore, Anita Ward, Little
Milton, The Byrds Celebration, Peter Tork’s New
Monkees, and Barry Manilow.
It’s Johnny Barranco’s voice you hear on ubiquitous
jingles like “Be All That You Can Be” (U.S. Army)
and “You Deserve A Break Today” (McDonalds).
Despite shared hometown and early career paths, this
album marks the first venture into the studio
together for the four musicians. They recorded in
the classic manner: two guitars, bass, drums, and
four voices (minimal overdubs), cutting
well-crafted, original songs, crammed with memorable
lyrics and hooks. The result is a solid collection
of Rock & Roll as it was always meant to be: joyous,
fun, and spontaneous. Reviewer David Adcock nailed
it when he wrote: “This is the way a lifelong,
four-way friendship sounds when set to music.”
Highlights: Walking In The Light, Lady
Don’t Weep, and the ultimate rock & roll ballad
A Place In My Heart |
