TRAVIS MOON
Big Train Rollin’ (1982/2017)


Again a good band from Florida, one of the most prolific Southern states in music. This record dates from 1982 and could illustrate an Indiana Jones adventure: "In search of the lost album". From the first tune, we realize that these musicians were at a very good level. Indeed, "Big Train Rollin '" falls into the excellent Southern boogie with all the paraphernalia required: perfect introduction, good solos (organ, slide and guitar in standard tuning), break at the third and bass solo rather stunning. All basted with a southern flavor as only the Florida combos can disseminate. After this promising start, the members of Travis Moon continue their momentum and drop appreciable titles which decline the various branches of the music of the South. "Louisiana Lady" offers a small Wet Willie-style Southern Rock with guitars at the third for the theme, a melodic chorus, lots of backing vocals and a very good guitar solo. The friendly "Move it on" evokes the Johnny Van Zant at his beginning with the two guitarists who answer on the solo. All the ingredients of the fast blues-rock "Georgia rain" inevitably make think of Point Blank (rhythm, harmonized guitars, construction of the solos). Two other songs also arouse interest: "She's gone" (a song in melodic minor mode and removed tempo with guitars at the third) and "Sail Away" (a Marshall Tucker Band-style ballad with a flute and the voice of the singer resembling that of Doug Gray). "Do What You Gonna Do" marks a return to the good old fast rock with a piano solo and a beefy duel between the two guitarists. "Roza Lee" takes a bit of the same recipe with only one piano intervention. And then, the influence of Charlie Daniels Band is recognized on "Memories" (cocktail of "El toreador" and "Birmingham blues"). After all that, we wonder why this band failed to make a breakthrough. But the rock race is done like that : many participants and few winners. However, with such an album, the dudes of Travis Moon can be proud to have added their stone to the building of the Southern rock.

Olivier Aubry






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