Few contemporary artists have a feel for heart-piercing classic country like
Justin Trevino; his ability to understand and appreciate a good shuffle or two-step is akin to a wine connoisseur's understanding of his chosen delicacy.
Trevino stays the course of previous efforts on The Scene of the Crying, offering a few originals but primarily focusing on covers of classics and more obscure tracks by other artists. As usual,
Trevino includes a song by his namesake and friend (until his death),
Justin Tubb, with "You'll Never Get a Better Chance." He also duets with idols
Jimmy C. Newman and rockabilly star
Wanda Jackson on the album. (The latter on a version of her "What Have We Done.") He enlists a fine crop of musicians for support here, including the well-heeled
Bobby Flores (fiddle) and Dickie Overby (pedal steel). Some well-known highlights include takes on
Mel Tillis' "Old Faithful" and
Connie Smith's "Then and Only Then" (written by Country Music Hall of Famer
Bill Anderson). As usual, though, what truly startles the listener is
Trevino's pipes: He's a silky sweet country warbler in the tradition of such golden-throated predecessors as
Marty Robbins,
Ray Price, and
Johnny Bush. ~ Erik Hage