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"Chili Pepper Sunset" is the second Mark David Manders' & Nuevo Tejas CD that I have purchased. As with the "Tales from the Couch Circuit"release, this CD is well written, well produced and very well performed. The songwriting style of Mark Manders is like an easy breeze; flowing seemingly without effort and with an air of internal strength. I believe that each of us have bestowed upon us a gift. Thankfully for us, Mark Manders uses his gift of songwriting to take us with him on his travels through love, death, history and of course...revelry. "Chili Pepper Sunset" starts off with 'Blackjack Road'. This song is a sorrowful reminder of the reasons that we leave home and what finally bring us back. The wheels of life do turn slow but those slow wheels make progress. After a long trip you can look out the back window and only see a little of the life you have left behind. At some point, I am sure that all of us have had someone in their life that is trying to pull your reins too tight. 'Telephone Song' is the Mark David Manders' angle on the dilemma. In classic Nuevo Tejas style, the dancin' fiddle play builds a crescendo that accents Mark's vocals. The next stop on your 'Chili Pepper' trip is in Boystown. 'Three Fingers Tequila' is a tale of a man who loses his keys in Mexico, meets a woman, starts on the tequila and ends up in no hurry to return home. Like you can sometime hear folks say, "a rockin' little number." You will hear me say that I like a song that makes me feel something. Many of Mark Manders' songs make me think of love and happiness. Happy, joyful songs are almost typical of the group. 'Gillespie County Peaches' is no exception. The song's writers, Mark Manders and Max Stalling have put together the sentiments of kisses from a child, seeing old friends and finding and selecting someone with whom to spend the rest of your life. Some of the truly great things in life may be the blessings that we see each day and so often take for granted. "Chili Pepper Sunset" also shows that Nuevo Tejas can grow...and has. With this album we hear woodwind instruments; I am not sure if they are flutes, recorders or what. What I do know is that they sound great. 'Anne Marie' is a song about a guy who has big dreams and the love of a good woman, a woman who follows the man who follows his dream. After leaving his home, and facing several failures, the man finds his fortune and his love is still by his side. "Not All Angels" tells a tale that can help keep things in perspective for us. Like it says, "Not All Angels are Meant to Fly" This is the first CD that I can say made be do some research. 'Jim Murphy' was a rat-fink bastard who turned his friends over to the Texas Rangers; eventually leading to their demise. The songwriter paints a vivid history lesson for us in Murphy's tale. I did some poking around on the Internet and the stories that I found all read just as the song. It kinda reminds me of the Monday afternoon history lessons of Lee Powell. Anyway, Manders and group spin, pick, saw and everything else you can say about letting it rip on a song. You don't often get a touch of Texas History and real outlaws in a song. A total winner in my book or should I say CD case. Mark does 'Scars and Souvenirs' on this CD. Another song written with Max Stalling The "Chili Pepper" version is faster and peppier but done with the same spirit and enthusiasm. The song's main character gets too old to work his cattle yet remains too stubborn to stay in bed. I guess that is what they call getting old. The only thing that you can do to fight it is swear you'll live forever to spite your health. God Bless Uncle Pete and Aunt Lil! The CD also has a song titled 'Headin' Out West'. This song could be titled "Fear and Loathing in the Texas Panhandle" or "Substance Abuse Gone Awry". A fast song with that Nuevo Tejas flair. Like on many of the Blind Nello CDs you should look for a bonus track. You certainly won't give any lip to the bonus track once you find it. Well, what can I say...another great album from Mark David Manders and Nuevo Tejas. Mark and Friends have songwriting down pat. Do like I have done - Listen to this CD over and over. If you get a chance, get out and see Mark David Manders and Nuevo Tejas. My wife and I made the 4-hour drive to Luckenbach back in September and saw quite a show. So buy the CD, see the show and enjoy yourself listening to Mark David Manders and Nuevo Tejas "Chili Pepper Sunset". It is a keeper. Grant Wiscour |
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