Beggin' Me Back

Though not a far stretch from her previous two self-released albums, Josie Kreuzer's Beggin' Me Back offers a great collection of straight-ahead rockabilly songs, with perhaps her best backing ensemble yet. Leaning toward the boppin' side of country, all 12 of these originals have her patented cutesy approach, the come-hither breathy twang sprinkled with a dash of Wanda Jackson-type attitude. "Good Time Girl (& a Thunderstorm)" and "Gone Fishin'" are two of the many songs that showcase Kreuzer's witty lyricism and strong honky tonk feel, with plenty of references to fast cars and men who weren't up to snuff. "Remember to Remember to Forget" and "Beggin' Me Back" are as well written and performed as any old classic country. Thanks to the production and impeccable guitar of Mark Neill, this effort is both a pleasure to listen to and to admire instrumentally. Neill has become quite an accomplished producer in the rockabilly scene, working with such other bands as Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys and the Paladins, but his tasteful guitar playing is what really shines through on each part of these well-recorded songs. Not until "My Sin (Mi Pecado)" does the style veer any, launching into a minor-keyed Spanish cantata, with strumming acoustics and Kreuzer's sultry, reverb-drenched croon delivering a real gem of a tune at the end of a strong third record.