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I had to hear The Formerly Brothers after recently (2019-wrote this in 2022) listening to some Texas Tornadoes and, also, Doug Sahm with his earlier Texas rock incarnation The Sir Douglass Quintet.
I, also, was already more familiar with Gene Taylor playing with The Blasters and then The Fabulous Thunderbirds.
Add the third main member of the band known as The Formerly Brothers, Amos Garrett, who I was aware of for playing with Gatemouth Brown on Gate’s (later) 1993 album Long Way Home, and The Return of The Formerly Brothers (1988) was an easy temptation/purchase.
Adding to the solid musicianship of The Formerly Brothers is the addition of sax player Dave Babcock who I feel was underused. The accordion of Cajun artist Queen Ida is more noticeable (two songs).
That is my one complaint of The Formerly Bros album more accordion than saxophone. Members of the band Prairie Oyster are also on hand for Canadian roots music authenticity.
Gene Taylor is the highlight to me when he sings and plays piano on the song Drunk. Taylor also sings on Sure Is a Good Thing while adding keys, while the self explanatory instrumental Gene’s Boogie is another highlight.
If I am incorrect so be it, but, it sounds to me like Amos Garret is singing on Don’t Tell Me. Gene Taylor is listed as the singer on Don’t Tell Me. Whoever sings—it’s good. Amos definitely sings well on Smack Dab in The Middle.
Amos Garrett may be an underrated guitar player, in general, who ‘formerly’ played on Paul Butterfield’s (very good) Better Days album.
Doug Sahm adds to the variety by singing on
Teardrops On My Pillow; and then acquiring a minor impersonation of Bob Dylan on Just like A Woman.
A bit less country and accordion (accordion on Louis Riel, too…really?) and The Return of The Formerly Brothers would have been perfect.
Checkout the Doug Sahm interview from Texas. He explains his time in Canada where album was made—and, I guess, it explains why the accordion on Louis Riel song. Riel was a Canadian revolutionary executed in 1885!
4.6 stars
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