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Awhile back I started hearing this crazy country sound, and since my kids were playing it, I figured it was one of these new psychobilly bands. The joke's on me, I guess. I get The Big Night in the mail, and look at this--these old boys are more seasoned than I am, if that's possible. At least, most of the Tractors are boys: Debbie Campbell is not; she's a regular Tractor, on vocals. Also, Millie Kirkham, the lady you'll remember singing backup for Elvis Presley, is a guest Tractor, along with the Jordanaires, who are special guest Tractors, too. In fact, Steve Ripley has cornered some of the best talent from Austin to Nashville to help out on this, the second Tractors Christmas release.

But enough prelims. This roots rock tribute begins with a spirited, de rigeur cover of the '50s anthem, Boogie Woogie Santa Claus. Next up is Ripley's The Big Night, exactly the kind of post-modern two-stepper that made me think these were young fellows trying to be edgy. With Bud Deal and Mike Panino's saxophones making me think The Boss, and Fats Kaplin's understated steel counterpoint, I couldn't get enough of this song.

But I have to admit I enjoyed Casey Van Beek's Bells are Ringing even more. Acoustically similar--again with the saxophones and with a little bit more steel--it swings.

There are other highlights, but I'm not going to give everything away. Ripley's wall-of-sound, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink production (even bringing in Floyd Domino on piano), makes this one work for me.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2002)

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From the liner notes:

The Tractors are Steve Ripley, Bud Deal, Casey Van Beek, Mike Panino, Debbie Campbell, Jimmy Karstein, and Fats Kaplin. And possibly Floyd Domino, Glen Mitchell, Spencer Sutton, Larry Bell, and Steve Pryor. And maybe Walt Richmond, Moon Martin, Millie Kirkham and the Jordanaires. Then, there's Scotty Moore, Tommy Tripplehorn, Bryon Davis, and Cheryl Wright, Eddie Davis, Steve Lyman, Scott Matthews, and Ted Williams. And did I mention Hanson, Jim Bates, Angeline Ripley, Elvis Ripley, Jonny Wright, Paul Lawson, and Micah Barnard? Now who have I left out?

The Tractors: It's a State of Mind.

Tractors

The Big Night

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Track List