Cuzz Vol. III - Feel Like Goin' Home
released May 1, 2008
Cuzz Vol. III is Ben Coulter's first studio recorded album with a full backup band. Ben sought out the services of some of the best musicians in the country for this album. As most of you know, Ben's first three albums were all acoustic albums. Bringing in Tim Crouch on Acoustic Guitar, Fiddle and Mandolin, Doug Deforest on Bass, and Robby Springfield on Electric and Steel Guitar, Ben's songs take on new feels and new grooves in this album than his previous albums. With the help of Producers Mike Foshee and Lewis and Stacey Lux, this cd has been crafted into one of the best independent country cd's out there today. Taking a few of his best songs off of previous albums, and some new ones he wrote, this album takes you to the heart of Ben Coulter the artist and the man. The songs on this album are all things common people can associate with. This cd is all country, no doubt about it.
With only one cover song on the album, "Almost Home" by Craig Morgan, Ben again shows his songwriting ability. And in this album you hear more of Coulter's vocal range, bearing down in some songs and letting you feel his rebellion and disgust in the way he sings songs such as "Long Black Cars and Cocaine". There are also moments where Coulter's voice tears your heart out and you can feel his pain and weariness when you hear him sing songs such as "You dont have to remind me" and "Feel Like Goin Home". There also times when you hear the love in Ben's voice, and you can tell the sincerity in Ben's voice in songs such as "What I would do to just be with you" and "I wish you were mine".
Some have said this is "without a doubt" Ben's best work, and that this cd will take his career to levels only dreamed about to this point. Others have said this album "gives you a look at the heart and soul" of Ben Coulter, that Coulter "took his heart and opened it up for all the world to see". This album takes you down the journey of a musician on the road, struggling with everyday things such as love, missing home, and loved ones gone on. It also lets you see a musician tired of the music business, fed up with the industry, and a musician who takes a stand in what he believes in. A musician who believes the common people deserve their kind of music, and if no one else will stand for the music of the common country person, Ben Coulter says "I will" with Cuzz Vol. III-Feel Like Goin' Home.
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The following review is a review of "Cuzz III - Feel Like Goin' Home" from "Review You", a branch of Ariel Publicity out of New York City. The review is from Dec. 2010.
The genre of country music has undergone a facelift in the past ten to twenty years. Where once the genre was defined by typically roots-based backdrop like Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, and Willie Nelson, the genre has expanded to include acts like Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum, and Sugarland. These sounds of these acts have elements of country, but easily fall into the pop crossover category as well. While country music as it was once known stands in jeopardy of fading away, there are a few artists like Ben Coulter who aim to stand in their way.
Coulter has spent the past several years honing his signature country sound. From his beginnings as a praise and worship minister during his college days to three years of performing six shows a week in Branson, MO, Coulter has spent his life cultivating a sound which he has dubbed, “Country Music…Delta Style.” Shortly after Branson, Coulter took his talent to Nashville where he gigged through bars and clubs, eventually tiring of Music City and moving away to forge his way in a more unconventional manner. That decision led to the formation of Ben Coulter and the Delta Outlaws, and a declaration and mission to play the Grand Ole Opry by October 1, 2011. So does Coulter have what it takes? If this album is any indication, he just might.
Coulter’s record is classic country, drawing from the rich history of the genre and bringing all the critical elements together, with plenty of steel guitar, shuffling percussion, and raging fiddle. He makes his case for classic country early with album standout “Long Black Cars and Cocaine,” which lays forth his pedigree. “I’m just a country boy/From down in Arkansas/Raised up on the good Lord, Haggard, and Jones.” With a blues-based vibe guiding the background and some solid breakout instrumental solos, it sets the tone early. Coulter continues his case for classic country with “When Haggard Was King,” a song fueled by rich nostalgia for a time of music gone by and anchored by the artist’s rich baritone, occasionally reminiscent of George Strait, and some burning fiddle and guitar work. While it’s easy to dismiss such tracks as clichéd, Coulter delivers them with a fresh idealism and solid songwriting that helps them to go down easily. Yet he truly begins setting the stage for his unique sound with “Highway 61 Blues” and “Delta Mud.” “Highway 61” is possessed of the Johnny Cash “boom-chicka” percussion, and both songs let the fiddle lay the bluesy pathway, drawing forth mournful and playful tones left and right. It’s a unique juxtaposition of the styles and it plays out wonderfully well here.
It’s not all swinging soul with Coulter though, as he takes more than his fair share of opportunities to deliver several radio-friendly ballads, beginning with the mandolin-influenced autobiographical tale, “Songwriter.” The steel guitar wails, mandolin plucks, and vocals warble keenly through it all, laying forth a claim to true country. In similar fashion, “I Wish You Were Mine” borrows a classic sonic palette while turning to the subject matter of longing love. “What I Would Do Just To Be With You” continues the longing, as does the album closer “You Don’t Have to Remind Me,” ending things with a somber and heartfelt note.
Ben Coulter has set forth on a mission to play the Grand Ole Opry with Cuzz III: Feel Like Goin’ Home as his war cry. Conjuring forth great country sounds of old and combining them with subtle elements of classic Delta blues, the artist has crafted an album that should be heard far and wide. And the Opry? If he keeps it up like this, he just might get there.
Review by Andrew Greenhalgh
Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
REVIEW FOR CUZZ VOL. III IN NIGHTFLYING MAGAZINE
The following is a review of my latest album, "Cuzz Vol. III" in Nightflying magazine. Nightflying is an entertainment magazine that goes out across the whole state of Arkansas. Special thanks to Nightflying for placing our review in their magazine. Hope you enjoy!!
Cuzz Vol. III "Feel Like Goin' Home"
Ben Coulter- Indie
First couple albums I pulled out of the box were blues and suddenly the scene shifted to country. Ben Coulter recorded this excellent album in Hot Springs (at Crystal Hills Studio) and I would be willing to bet everybody involved had a big time on the gig. Tim Crouch played guitar, mandolin, and fiddle. Robby Springfield added electric and steel guitar. Doug Deforest played bass and Stacey Lux added background vocals. Ben has a good voice, no spectacular effects needed. I would venture to say he could hold his own with any popular country artist you might hear on the radio these days. This is a tight little set and firm proof homegrown talent is strong, from poignant ballads such as the title track to flat out rockers like the opener. This is the sort of album that makes this job sweet.
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