Ryan Bingham lived the hard life: without a home since his teens, finding work on ranches, and singing songs of sadness. Americana fans have heard this story many times, and it’s easy to dismiss Bingham’s debut album, Mescalito, as a slab of clichéd silliness — especially when he sings in both English and Spanish about desperados, trains, and even “working for a dollar a day.” And while his Gregg Allman-like growl gets a bit old after the third tune, it’s the kid’s very brashness and absurd self-mythologizing that make his music groove in ways alt-country rarely does. Bingham also has an ear for delicious sounds — a percolating wah-wah and droning fiddles buttress “Sunshine,” a metronomic banjo powers “Ghost of Travelin’ Jones,” etc. But at 14 songs, Mescalito is too long. Bingham isn’t that good a songwriter, at least not yet.

This article appears in Nov 28 – Dec 4, 2007.

3 replies on “Ryan Bingham”

  1. I strongly disagree with this writer “connoisseur”. This is the best album, songs, and song writer to come along, in a long time.

    There is a Ryan Bingham “craze”. All the major alternative-country, Texas Country artists have joined together to help get this guy started — why? Because he is incredible — the voice — the stories! He needs to be heard.

    Mescalito is his 3rd album. The other 2 were self-produced.

    There’s a reason Marc Ford (former lead guitarist for The Black Crowes) produced & played on this album. And, there’s a reason Marc Ford’s incredible son, Elijah is now Ryan Bingham’s bassist. They know something you fail to see.

    Good luck!
    Kat

  2. It really must be a big mistake the Willie Nelson label, along with Ryan Adams sought to sign this young man. Not to mention his tour dates with Drive By Truckers, rave reviews and much hard earned lessons in school of hard knocks. Is this music not pop country enough for those who control what passes for country & western these days? Stripped down and dirty, just like Texas Outlaw tradition. Sorry if you don’t see the light. Your loss.

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