CRY OF THE HEART

4 On The Floor "Cowboys & Engines"

This is a story about a group that is practically unknown outside of South and North Carolina, and who, discovered by Liane Edwards, found itself in France at the end of September carrying out their first European tour, among other things, and headlining at the Tarascountry Festival in Tarascon. All of this just fifteen days after the release of their first studio album. On stage: Fabulous. A singer/showman without equal, and a sumptuous accompaniment. When one sees such a group on stage before having even heard any recording, one is always a little worried at the moment you begin to listen to the record bought at the end of the concert: Will one find at least a part of the magic felt live? With this record from 4 On The Floor, the worry immediatement disappears: It begins foot to the pedal with the guitars of Lee Goodwin and Glenn Jones, then the drumming of Mike Elder, and the bass of Jeff Faulkner; the voice of Nathan Palmer comes to pose itself on top and, in the pile, a quick turning banjo joins the group. This creates "Down, down, down". The rest of the album is in general quite hot, which does not prevent this group from transcending itself in the four pieces where the rhythm slows down quite a bit (magnificent "Broke, Locked up, or dead"). It's worth noting that all of the songs of this CD are compositions by the group which, on stage, does (by contrast) a great number of revivals (Johnny Cash, Buck Owens, Ernest Tubb, Merle Haggard,...). Rock 'n' Roll? Honky-Tonk? Trucker country? In fact, it's these all at the same time for this group in which the voice of the singer is located partly between Dale Watson, Junior Brown and Johnny Cash. A group that one hopes will return often to France. Note: On the Woody's Music website, one can also find an LP of 4 On The Floor, as well as a live album "Live and Alone", which is very interesting with lots of revivals.

- Jean-Jacques Corrio
Le Cri du Coyote

Translated by Alice Burmeister