For a long time, Ray Wylie Hubbard was better known as a composer of the anthem of the progressive country movement of the 1970s than as a performing musician. The song was beautifully titled Up Against The Wall, Redneck Mother and was sung in 1973 by Jerry Jeff Walker. Ray's career was then largely dominated by his activities as a songwriter, his own work appeared only sporadically. Much later, in
… 1994, Hubbard managed to revive his singing career with the semi-acoustic album Loco's Gringo's Lament. The furiously hairy Hubbard still deviates from the average clean-shaven country artist from Nashville, not only in appearance but also in adding elements of rock, gospel and blues to his music. This time he interprets with his low, hoarse voice - in addition to some own songs - the work of other songwriters, including Eliza Gilkyson, Woody Guthrie and Slaid Cleaves. The background vocals on some tracks are provided by Patty Griffin and Eliza Gilkyson, which provides a nice contrast to the deep talkative vocals of Hubbard. (MS)more
