Houston Marchman's "Tryin For Home" A CD Review    by Mr Shannon Heaton
	Driving into work today I glanced to my right as I grabbed a smoke and noticed Houston Marchman's new C.D. "Tryin' For Home" on the seat beside me. I could not help but steal a glance at the autograph Houston had written as I lit up my smoke. "Shannon- STAY TRUE! Houston." I shook my head and grinned into the brilliant Texas sun. "How appropriate", I thought. Stay true coming from someone who is making a spectacular music career by doing just that. I turned up the volume, stepped on the gas, and let the songs teach me their lessons about Stayin' True Houston Marchman Style. Killin' Songs- Stayin' True 101 : On "Wichita Falls" Marchman tells a story of moral lapses, life altering mistakes, and deep blue regret. "Wichita Falls" is a killing song, but is also about the heartache of a son who has hopelessly disappointed his mother. When he sings "Now my poor momma cries for the trouble I'm in, but the law don't believe me momma, it was self defense.", every son and every mother will feel the pain touch their own chest. Every note of Houston and Rich Brotherton's guitars drive the regret home. Is there a son or a mother who in some way can't relate. This along with "One Foot Deeper" & "Cross Beside The Road" are the best damn killing songs I've heard since Charlie Robison's "Lights of Loving County." On "Tryin' For Home" we get three brand new killing songs for the price of one. Houston Marchamn sings these songs of evil deeds and murderous men without ever passing judgment on his characters. He simply tells the tales and leaves the judging to the ones who would listen. The Road and The Drive - Stayin' True 202 : Anyone who has ever spent too much time behind a wheel and far away from the ones they love should spend 3 minutes and thirty three seconds of that drive listening to the song "Tryin' For Home." Houston has lived much of the last few years on the road and the honesty of his longing for a home that always seems to be just around the next curve drips from his vocals, guitar, and Gene Elders emotive fiddle work. "Hanks Angel" is a sad, soulful delight. One of the absolute best songs I've ever heard. This song is country soul at it's best. When Houston Marchman sings "If I had Hank's angel, with lips of sweet morphine, get me stoned in Hank's Cadillac, and drive us both down to New Year's Eve.", in his soulful Texas rasp you might wish to sell your own soul for the chance to hitch a ride. Honky Tonk Songs - Stayin' True 303 : If Honky Tonkin' tunes is your glass of Texas tea then "Tryin' For Home" has it's share. Namely "Adios Baby", "Plano Texas Girl" (co-written with Diedre Allen) and "Buses In The Rain". On Adios Baby Houston's voice goes bluesy and gruff singing, "My momma raised me, it's better to be pissed off than to be pissed on...Adios Baby hears where the leavin' turns to gone." "Plano Texas Girl" is a fiddle and steel guitar lovers heaven and the playing is once again top notch. "Buses In The Rain" combines Marchman's soft Texas drawl with the sweet sounds of of Chris Gage's piano. Trust me when I say that you can almost smell the sawdust, stale beer, and cheap perfume as this leavin' song unfolds. And if these are not enough look for the hidden Marchman nugget "Adair's Honky Tonk Christmas Party" hidden at the the end of the disc. Proof positive that the wry sense of humor showcased on "Viet-Nashville" was no fluke. Love Lost and Found - Stayin' True 404 : When it comes to songs of love and heartaches Marchman does himself proud with "Wrong Side Of Del Rio", "When You Ain't Lookin" and "Still Alone". Happy endings in Houston Marchman's world are a rare thing. When they do come it is always with a cost. Houston Marchman sings of a world that ,for lovers, is often just as harsh and unforgiving as it is beautiful and sweet. Any one who has lived long enough to feel the ache of a love gone wrong won't argue that this is stayin' true. However, for the hopeless romantic in all of us "Wrong Side Of Del Rio" keeps the hope of love alive and in surprising fashion. The Live Show - Stayin' True - The Final Exam I was one of the truly blessed who were in attendance at Tutter's Sports Bar for Houston Marchman's "Tryin' For Home" C.D. Release Party. The show I saw was in a word...Damned Spectacular. (Sorry but that's the closest I can get to just one word.) Houston has continued to grow by leaps and bounds as a performer over the two years since I first caught one of his shows. On stage he has become the embodiment of the working singer songwriter mythos. With every ringing chord, fluid guitar lick, and soulful drawl he sends the audiences way Houston Marchman brings them closer to the places he wants to take them. On this night Houston Marchman had a full house on their feet in a standing ovation. Big deal, you say. The first time was during the middle of the second set. Thanks, Houston, for Stayin' True. Contact Shannon Heaton at heaton-at-rockzilla.net Check out Houston's web site

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