Satisfied Mind

Gordon, Robert - Satisfied Mind (Koch)
Reviewed by Sadie O., 8/10/05
Top second-generation rockabilly singer with a voice to trump the King; as much honky-tonk country swing as full-on rockabilly here. Several covers of big hits, none of which add anything earth-shaking to the history of music. Nothing stands out overmuch, but most of it's good fun, and lord, that baritone... Very purist in terms of instrumentation - minimalist drum kit, standup bass, pedal steel, guitar and piano.
FCC squeaky clean.
Best tracks - 10, then 8 and 3. 11 is good for a slower cut. 14 just for fun.

1. 2:08 fairly fast shuffling two-step, a bit twee lyrically, ends abruptly.
2. 2:14 slow waltz, sad sad weeper.
3. 2:09 ** definite bopper, cool honky tonk pianer and rockin' geetar.
4. 2:09 mid-tempo with driving beat.
5. 2:34 much more mellow than the Brenda Lee classic, but that may
actually suit the tone of the lyrics better anyway. Nice sax break.
6. 2:46 *mid-tempo with walking bassline and Jordonaires-style backing
vocals, somewhat reminiscent of early Johnny Cash tracks.
7. 3:03 sounds like he's trying to imitate the original, vocally. decent instrumentation.
8. 2:30 **NOW we got some rockabilly. Nice pedal steel & guitar.
9. 2:42 slow waltz, faithful rendition of the Porter Wagoner classic.
Takes ya right straight to the honkytonk.
10. 2:25 **another bopper, lots of rockabilly stuttering, good fun.
11. 2:25 *slow but still rockin, nice horn section and fine piano.
12. 2:17 *mid tempo, nice jive number, great horns.
13. 2:37 *ever so Elvis. Another bopper, excitable drummer.
14. 2:58 *more Johnny Cash than Nancy Sinatra, totally believable
delivery.