The first thing you’ve got to realize is that this is not Cowboy Mouth. While Paul Sanchez is a member the college-popular, pound ’em sound and shake ’em rock band led by drummer/madman Fred LeBlanc, his solo work is of a whole different league. Mainly, it’s just a lot more mellow. In fact, it’s almost hard to believe these two are connected at all. Sanchez, on his fifth CD, Sold Out at Carrollton Station, sings his melodies in soft and gentle voice that is nothing like the let-it-go, let-it-go, let-it go energy that made Cowboy Mouth famous. Recorded amidst an enthusiastic Uptown crowd, most of the songs on the live CD are a folksy, slow-strummed tribute to the all-night escapades, cheap liquor and crawfish stews that make New Orleans the sticky, passionate place that it is.
A few of the songs may sound familiar, such as “Laughable” and “Here I Sit in Prison,” which Sanchez also sings with Cowboy Mouth. But when you take away LeBlanc’s fast and furious drumming, these songs have a much more peaceful, less-intimidating feel. Sanchez breezes through the music with enough Louisiana references to satisfy most proud Cajuns but retaining enough of a rock ‘n’ roll feel to reel in the college crowds. The Sonoma Valley boys (composed of Eddie Ecker, drums and vocals; Brenden O’Donnel, bass guitar; Skeeter Hanks, vocals and percussion; Mike Mayeux, lead guitar; and John Herbert, harmonica) add a subtle, low-key background to Sanchez’ heartfelt lyrics.
My personal favorite, “I Got Drunk This Christmas,” tells the tipsy tale of New Orleans holidays in a way that illustrates the gloriously lazy, perpetually festive attitude that only New Orleans’ understands. “I hope Santa’s bringing an icy sloe gin fizz,” Sanchez sings to the yelping delight of the audience, “I spent all my money, I can hardly stand/My head feels very funny, there’s a strange scent on my hands/I got drunk this Christmas, like I do most every year.”
“It’s so nice that you know the words to that line,” he chuckles afterward. “Only in New Orleans, ladies and gentlemen.” Only in New Orleans indeed.
