Country Music Review
by Willamette Week
05/11/2001
Bunco Kelly is excited about its new DIY CD, "How It Came to Be," but not too excited -- these rockabilly-tinged backroads ramblers play it cool about everything. Vocals resonate with a calm campfire warmth, guitars pluck out riffs and leads with smooth assurance, and drums never get hysterical even while rattling like a jumpy jalopy in the background. For those who prefer charcoal-mellowed bourbon over the cheap, stomach-acid-churning brands will find themselves right at home. (JG)
Take us home...
(We don't take up much room!)
Titles by Bunco Kelly
| ITEMS IN CART:0 | |
|---|---|
 |
How It Came to Be - CD. Description: "At a time when much of the country music world's influence seems to be coming out of LA or New York, it's nice to find a record steeped in the Nashville tradition. How It Came To Be - the first album from Portland, Oregon club fixture, Bunco Kelly - provides the '65-Ford-pickup feel of an old Johnny Cash LP (they actually cover "Folsom Prison Blues" respectably), with the new-car smell of a Dwight Yoakam CD. |
MusicfestNW Review
by Willamette Week
09/14/2001
All right, we had to sit through the gawd-blasted "swing revival" -- so when can we be treated to a popular craze for some actual good stuff? Bunco Kelly's reimagining of the slung-back honky-tonk of Johnny Horton, early Willie Nelson and about a thousand truck-stop juke favorites circa '58 desrves wider celebration than it's ever likely to receive. The public, man, just has no taste. But you, friend, I'm sure you buck the dull boundaries of convention. Check 'em. (ZD)
A Tasty Indie Record with a Major-Label Feel
by Doug Davies, Seattle WA
02/03/2002
After seeing Bunco Kelly at Portland, Oregon's stately Crystal Ballroom, I was skeptical that the band could capture the energy and fun of their live show on CD. I never should have doubted the Bunco boys, because "How It Came to Be" is a great listen from start to finish. Independently recorded on a shoestring budget, the album has a polish and professionalism worthy of a big studio release. I've been spinning this disc at work, and several of my co-workers (many of whom are definitely NOT country music fans) have been won over by it. Particular favorites are "Work is the Curse," (a wry little ditty about the plight of functional alcoholics) and the solid Johnny Cash cover, "Folsom Prison Blues." It is unfair, however, to highlight any one song on an album that has so many tight, catchy tunes. If you pick up "How It Came to Be," you won't need to use the skip button on your CD player.
as part of the Artist Support Agreement.